Date: July 7, 2026
This summer, the VTS Facilities Team got off to a rough start with a major leak in the Central Plant’s hot water supply pipe that feeds the campus circulation system. This pipe is essential for delivering hot water to several buildings on campus, so the failure had an immediate impact on comfort and daily operations. The leak required us to shut down and isolate parts of the system, investigate the cause, and plan a safe, lasting repair rather than a quick temporary fix.
We want to sincerely thank the VTS community for its patience and understanding while we worked through this issue. Your flexibility has helped us coordinate access, scheduling, and system shutdowns with far fewer disruptions than we might otherwise have faced. We would also like to extend our gratitude to American Combustion Industries, whose expertise and hard work were instrumental in preparing and installing the new pipe. Their partnership allowed us to restore reliable service to campus as quickly and safely as possible.
Even as this project was underway, Facilities has been moving forward with turning over the Student Family Apartments for incoming students. With these spaces empty over the summer, we have a valuable opportunity to perform essential preventive maintenance on building systems and assets. This work helps prolong equipment life cycles, improve reliability, and keep conditions safe and comfortable for new residents when they arrive.
In addition, we are preparing for exterior painting work on the Chapel and Alumni Hall. Refreshing these building exteriors not only protects the underlying materials from weather and wear but also enhances the overall appearance of campus. We appreciate your continued support as we address both visible improvements and behind-the-scenes infrastructure work that together keep VTS a welcoming, well-maintained place to live, learn, and work.
John Erbe
Director of Facilities Operations