Public Higher Education Bulletin

First published Wednesday May 16, 2007

The University awarded a contract for rental of a portable chiller.

This emergency/quick purchase was required due to a situation in which immediate action was needed to prevent any disruption in University services

The University attempted to start up the steam absorber chiller in Currens Hall, an academic building. The chiller cools the building. The chiller failed to start. Extensive examination and testing of the chiller verified that it cannot be repaired.

Currens Hall houses research laboratories, faculty and staff offices and classrooms. The lack of cooling causes the temperature and humidity levels to become intolerable and potentially dangerous due to the types of chemicals stored in the building. An interim solution must be utilized in order to cool the building to protect the health and safety of the occupants and to prevent the disruption of services. There are dangerous and potentially explosive chemicals and a variety of research experiments that must be kept in conditioned spaces. There are no other acceptable spaces on campus to move the chemicals and equipment. Currens Hall has specialized storage areas and laboratories. Failure to continue the research may result in the loss of current grant funding to the University for this research and jeopardize future funding from these granting agencies.

The University will be developing plans and specifications in order to solicit bids for the permanent replacement of the chiller. The chiller rental is an interim solution.

For additional information, contact:

Theresa Roegge
227 Sherman Hall
1 University Circle
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: (309) 298-1819
FAX: (309) 298-1927
E-Mail: TD-Roegge@wiu.edu