Residents of Blakeley Hall, Tufts’ newly renovated sophomore dorm, have reported a series of maintenance problems that have raised concerns about the building’s safety and overall functionality.
Students report that recurring maintenance issues — including power outages, waterlogged ceilings and broken showers — have affected bathrooms on multiple floors.
“There [were] times where there was no electricity in the bathrooms and there were no lights. It would happen for a couple days at a time and we would have to call somebody … it would be fixed for a couple hours and then it would happen again,” Emma Rose, a sophomore living in Blakeley, said.
Tufts Construction Program Manager Christopher Hogan said efforts to remedy the issues were ongoing.
“The contractor is actively working to repair the showers and restore service in those rooms. 16 showers remain open for use in the building,” Hogan wrote in a statement to the Daily.
Rose said that students were forced to use flashlights when using the toilets and showers on her side of the floor, or else go to the other side of the hallway. She added that maintenance workers were still taking measures to repair the damages caused by a leaking pipe from the second-floor bathroom.
“They fixed [a leak] pretty quickly, although right now it’s not 100% done. They just put new drywall up after they repaired the leak and they were in there a couple days ago trying to fix that still,” Rose said.
Other residents raised safety concerns related to the building’s construction and upkeep.
“There’s many things, like a box of the exit signs … just sitting around,” Erica Adler, a sophomore resident, said. “They didn’t put the door handles on properly … There was a cleaning lady trapped in the room [once]. She couldn’t get out. She was banging on the glass because the handle fell off on the inside.”
Hogan wrote that issues are being addressed through standard maintenance procedures.
“Issues are reported to the project team through the facilities work order system. Once received, issues are investigated by the contractor and corrected in a timely manner,” Hogan wrote. “We closely monitor the building so we can address the issues, and appreciate those students who submit work orders!”
Adler said that the building’s many issues made her dislike living in Blakeley.
“It’s not right to put students in a dorm that’s so blatantly not finished,” she said. “The anger and the frustration [are] because you cannot opt out of this. It’s like upwards of $10,000 to live here … Why are they charging this ridiculous price for somewhere where there’s no functionality of the showers and the paint is falling off the walls?”
Blakeley residents said their frustration stems not only from the problems themselves but also from delays and limited communication from the university. Students have continued submitting work orders, often with minimal success.
“I had to put in a work order for [an issue with the temperature handle of the shower.] They had to transfer the work order to construction, and then I had to call construction, but nobody answered,” Rose said.
“[The administration is] not communicating at all because they only do what’s in their best interest,” Adler said.
Rose noted that the lack of communication existed even before Blakeley opened for residents this fall. She said students were unsure whether or not the renovations would be completed by the start of the school year.
“I didn’t get any communication from Tufts about that,” Rose said. “People were left to their imaginations.”
Rose said that having a platform for feedback could improve communication and help administrators better understand student needs.
“If we could leave comments on what we thought should be done for the construction … I think that would be helpful,” Rose said.
Residents said that progress on repairs is being made — albeit slowly — on the showers and electricity problems.
“There’s still just a few little unfinished things around the dorm. It’s nothing that really impacts us too much, besides the bathroom situation,” Rose said.
Despite the ongoing maintenance issues, Hogan confirmed that Blakeley Hall passed inspections and was cleared to open this fall.
“A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and Lodging House license was issued in August after satisfactory inspection by all authorities having jurisdiction. When newly renovated space is placed into service, it is not uncommon for issues to arise,” Hogan wrote.
He added that he anticipates “open punch list and warranty items” — tasks that arise at the end or after a construction project — to be resolved by the end of October.
