UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 13, Page 2
December 2, 1993
Life back to normal in Christiana Tower West

     Life for the residents of Christiana West Tower has returned to
normal. The building was closed and the more than 600 residents evacuated
early on the morning of Friday, Nov. 19, after CS gas, a fine powder used
by the military, was released on the fifth floor.
     Cleanup progressed over five days, with all but the fourth, fifth and
sixth floors reopened after 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 20, the fourth and sixth
floors reopened after 5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 22; and the fifth floor opened
at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 24.
     According to University Police, the incident that caused the
evacuation started when a student on the fifth floor complained about other
students making noise in the hall at approximately 1:30 a.m. He put the CS
canister in the middle of the hallway and told the other students he would
set it off if they didn't return to their rooms and stop making noise.
Another student accidentally kicked the canister and the fine powder spread
throughout the fifth floor.
     A small amount of material may have been spread to other areas via the
stairwell and on students' shoes during the evacuation.
     University and Newark emergency personnel responded to the alarm, and
as is standard procedure, the state Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Control was alerted. The student involved was arrested and
charged with criminal mischief and reckless endangering second degree. He
also was charged in the University judicial system.
     During the closing, evacuated students stayed with friends or family,
and others were provided mattresses, pillows, blankets, towels and
toiletries to stay in Christiana Commons. Dining Services provided light
refreshments in the Commons, and meals were provided for students who did
not have meal plans.
     Deans and chairpersons were informed of the situation so affected
students could be excused from class on Friday, Nov. 19. Faculty were asked
to be understanding of the situation and its effects on students, since,
during the period when the residence hall was closed, they had limited
access to their books, as well as to their clothing, IDs, keys and other
possessions.
     A specialized environmental company, Guardian Environmental Services
Inc., decontaminated the building. Air samples were taken at points
throughout the building and tested at the DuPont Co.'s nearby Stine-Haskell
Laboratory. When the quality of the air was at a safe level, students were
allowed to return to their rooms.