Public Safety officers evacuated the Tolley Administration Building between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Wednesday due to severe winds.

‘We weren’t concerned about the building collapsing,’ said Kevin Morrow, spokesman for Syracuse University. ‘It was simply a precautionary measure based on the age and the condition of the building.’

The evacuation was part of a protocol SU officials assembled while the building underwent construction, which started in March. The construction aims to reinforce the 114-year-old building’s walls and is expected to be completed in November.

The temporary protocol states that if wind speeds or gusts reach 45 mph, as measured by Carrier Dome staff, the building will be evacuated.

‘It’s not unusual to have these high winds in Syracuse,’ said Charles Bucci, project administration manager in the Office of Design and Construction.

The Dome staff called Public Safety just before 10:30 a.m., and officers were dispatched to inform those who have offices in the building to leave.

‘Some went home, [and] some went to other offices on campus,’ Morrow said.

Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw worked out of his residence all day, he added.

The university doesn’t have a similar protocol for any other university buildings, Bucci said.

Published on October 15, 2003 at 12:00 pm