Martin University is using the misfortune of a recent tragedy to discover “what they are made of.”
University leadership is also asking for the community’s help in the recovery from this difficult situation.
“I’m hoping we won’t have to make drastic cuts because the university doesn’t need to go through that again,” said Dr. Algeania Freeman, president of Martin University. “We operate on prayer and faith and I believe in the goodness of God and human beings.”
On Dec. 22 a water pipe burst in the president’s office causing the main building to be flooded with approximately 50,000 gallons of water. The entire second floor was flooded, eventually leaking to the first floor causing damage to personal and university property.
“There were sub zero temperatures and then there was wind chill. If you want to look for a cause, it was temperature extremes. Beyond that, trying to figure out what happened, we’re not at liberty to talk about that. But the ultimate cause was the extreme temperatures and wind chill,” said Bill West, Martin University Board of Trustees chairman.
Freeman and her staff were quick on their feet and within days of the incident much of the water and debris was removed from the affected building, which houses offices and classrooms. Faculty, staff and hired contractors have been working feverishly, attempting to bring a sense of normalcy back to the university.
Spirits are high and employees in all capacities are giving 110 percent, yet many challenges, mostly financial, stand in the way of university progress.
Before the flood, Martin University was in the process of preparing for an accreditation site visit required by the Higher Learning Commission in 2010 and 2013. Historical records, meeting minutes, fiscal responsibility records and documents of governance were destroyed in the flood.
Insurance will cover up to $100,000 worth of damages, however the cost may be as high as $500,000 for the actual recovery of those documents.
In addition to historical records, student records were also compromised in the flood. The majority of the school’s records were housed in the president’s office, where most of the damage occurred.
Furthermore, by an anonymous donor, the university received and installed a brand new computer lab Dec. 19. All of the computers and necessary equipment were also destroyed by water.
The excessive water also caused damage to the school’s sprinkler system. Insurance will cover the damages as a result of the broken pipe, but will not pay for the actual repair of the pipe. The university was also forced to hire extra security to make 15-minute checks of the campus in case of a fire due to the defunct sprinkler system.
With damage to the building, equipment and necessary documents, it’s estimated that the cost stemming from the mishap will exceed $3.2 million.
“As many of you know our endowment is only $123,000, so we did not have the funds to make the repairs. Many of the insurance items will be covered, however there will be some items and repairs to the building — around $200,000 — that the university will have to pay for,” said Freeman.
University personnel are targeting March 23 for the completion of all repairs. With only a small amount of capital and a large amount of repairs, the university is appealing to the Indianapolis community for help in their time of need.
“As a small forever struggling private university we, like all small struggling universities, always need money. We needed money before the flood. We just need a little more now,” said West.
Money is trickling in from entities such as Rolls Royce, but much more is needed if the university wants to make that March 23 deadline.
At Recorder deadline no state or federal assistance had been given for repairs.
Despite the setbacks, Martin University’s 619 students resumed studies Jan. 5 in clean and sanitized classrooms. Though some classes are being held in trailers, students are standing behind their school and its administration during the school’s rejuvenation.
“We have been encouraging our instructors and students in any way we can. We have such great examples of people who push through events like this. To me it’s been like any other semester. Our administration and president are good examples of not giving up,” said Kieana Edmonds, a junior.
For more information, call (317) 543-3235 or visit www.martin.edu.
