Due to recently determined structural problems, Cornell University officials announced today (Tuesday, July 10, 2001) that all occupants of the university's Martha Van Rensselaer (MVR) North building will be relocated to temporary offices in other buildings. The north wing will not be occupied after July 13.

The relocation, prompted by the discovery and subsequent analysis by outside experts of cracks in the building's concrete floor slabs, was announced by Patsy M. Brannon, the Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Dean of the College of Human Ecology, in a series of meetings with faculty, students, administrators and staff of the college.

The relocation is expected to affect approximately 150 university faculty, staff and students who occupy the reddish brick, state-owned building. These include occupants of the Dean's Office, administrative offices and programs that affect all units in the college, some classrooms and laboratories, and Media and Technology Services' media and satellite operations.

A feasibility study will be conducted to determine what remedial action needs to be taken, Brannon said. Work on the building, which houses a portion of the New York State College of Human Ecology, is expected to last at least a year. The building was first occupied in 1966 and runs along Forest Home Drive.

"The university and college are taking prudent and responsible action to ensure the safety of all occupants of the building," Brannon said. "We want to act quickly and expeditiously in order to have everyone settled in their new locations before students return in the fall. We will need the help and cooperation of everyone in the college and university communities in working out both the short and long-term solutions."

Irregularities in the floor were observed several months ago by facilities personnel while the college was undertaking a renovation project that included removal of deteriorated carpet. Cornell then notified the State University Construction Fund (SUCF), which contracted with a consulting firm, John P. Stopen Engineering Partnership, of Syracuse, said Gregg Travis, director of the Statutory Office for Capital Facilities at Cornell."The consultant determined deficiencies exist, with the result that the floor slabs do not meet current State Building Code for load capacity," Travis said. University and SUCF were informed of the firm's analysis on Monday, July 9.

Travis said SUCF managed the original design and construction contract for the building.

Cornell Provost Biddy Martin said she has approved plans to house current occupants of Martha Van Rensselaer North in Mann Library and in the older Martha Van Rensselaer South building, built in 1933.

Brannon noted that Martha's eatery and the childcare center are not expected to be affected, as they are in the unaffected Martha Van Rensselaer South building.