The discovery of asbestos in the Carriage House has forced some classes to be relocated to Fleck Hall and other parts of campus.

Over the summer, Carriage House was in need of new heating pumps.

Those pumps were to be installed on the first and second floors, said Mischelle Diaz, director of communications. Work began on the second floor first.

“During the process, workers identified what they thought was asbestos-like material,” she said. “They stopped working … called someone and had the material tested.”

The test came back positive for having asbestos particles in the ceiling.

The area was immediately sealed off and the asbestos was completely removed from the second floor, Diaz said.

It is not yet confirmed if the first floor has asbestos, but the university believes it will. Asbestos is only harmful when it is disturbed, Diaz said.

“The university would not be allowing anyone on either floor of the building if it was not safe,” Diaz said.

Work on the first floor will begin soon. Diaz hopes the job will be completed by the end of October or at the latest, Thanksgiving.

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