University at Buffalo (UB)
Published January 20, 2023
Dear colleagues,
While the Christmas Blizzard of 2022 has passed, its impact still reverberates across all of Western New York, including here at the University at Buffalo. As you may have read this week in UB Now, some university buildings impacted by the storm may require more significant repairs than originally anticipated.
Among the buildings damaged during the storm are two spaces utilized heavily by faculty, staff, and students of our Health Science schools: the Biomedical Research Building (BRB) and Cary Hall. Currently, the entire BRB facility and the ground and first floors of Cary Hall are closed indefinitely due to health and safety concerns.
Our amazing University Facilities team, many of whom were on campus during the height of the storm, continue to work diligently to assess the full extent of the damage. Preliminary estimates have some repairs taking approximately 12 months to complete, though University Facilities will soon be releasing a restoration plan, with an emphasis on bringing spaces back online as quickly as possible.
I know how challenging and disruptive this has been to the mission-critical research you conduct, to the educational needs of your students, and to the workflow of your staff. All of us at UB understand how crucial it is for you to continue your important work. Please know that we are taking every step we possibly can to minimize disruptions and preserve your productivity.
While we recognize that the storm damage provides an unforeseen challenge to the start of our semester, the safety of our UB community is our first priority. I appreciate your patience and understanding as plans develop and ask that you please avoid unnecessary entry to the affected buildings.
Unit Facilities Planning Management Officers (FPMOs) and deans with spaces impacted by the storm are receiving frequent updates and will communicate with affected individuals and teams in a timely manner. At any time, should you have questions or concerns about the building restoration plans, please direct them to your unit’s FPMO or University Facilities customer service at custserv@facilities.buffalo.edu or 716-645-2025.
Thank you all for the vital work you are doing on behalf of the University at Buffalo. We are committed to supporting you throughout the coming weeks and months ahead as we look to rebuild better than ever.
Sincerely,
Allison Brashear, MD, MBA
Vice President for Health Sciences
Dean, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences