On January 22, the Luther campus community received information from Campus Safety Director Bob Palmer (‘91) that the Union main entrance would be closed due to a water leak. The water leak was caused by cold air entering through the sprinkler system and breaking a fitting, which allowed water to flow through the system and into the building. 

Palmer spoke about how Campus Safety and Campus Facilities were able to respond to the leak. 

“The response was immediate as the Union fire alarm sounded,” Palmer said. “Employees in the Union and from facilities moved quickly to shut off the water and limit the damage to the floors and walls.”

Since then, leak construction has been underway and has been contained to the area in front of the Book Shop. Drywall repair and painting were completed on February 14, and Director of Facilities Jay Uthoff spoke about the projected completion time and process. 

“We expect to have the interior work completed by February 26,” Uthoff said. “However, we are doing some additional work that should mitigate freezing of the pipes in the future. There will also be some outside work completed to enhance the insulation and air sealing of the area.”

Students who were on campus during J-Term were left to handle the closure of the front of the Union. Macy Taylor (‘26) voiced some concerns  in response to the water leak. 

“I wouldn’t say that the water leak was inconvenient to anyone that was here over J-Term,” Taylor said. “It is, however, concerning that this is not the first time Luther has dealt with water leaks. I just hope that this is the last leak we have to deal with as a community for a while.”

In Palmer’s campus-wide email, he commended the Luther community for their action and quick response in addressing the leak. 

“Not only did individuals respond appropriately to the alarm by evacuating the building, but once it was determined exactly what the problem was and that it was safe to re-enter the Union, many returned to help move furniture, mop floors, operate wet-dry vacuums and generally assist our Campus Security and Campus Facilities staff,” Palmer said.  “As President [Emerita] Ward said in her note, it was an all-hands-on-deck response that showed the community nature of Luther.”

For now, the Book Shop is still using the secondary entrance, but the tarp around the construction area is officially pulled down, and the Little Free Pantry has officially made its return to the Union.