By Marley Anthony
Assistant Editor-in-Chief
On Jan. 31, a burst water heater on the fourth floor of Farris Hall at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor forced residents to evacuate and be temporarily rehoused elsewhere on campus.
After the water tank failed, the building’s fire alarms went off as water hit the smoke detectors. Students evacuated as Campus Police arrived at Farris Hall, along with first responders, Physical Plant and staff from Student Life, including Dr. Brandon Skaggs and Dr. Michael Burns. Physical Plant staff shut off gas and water and evaluated damage, such as flooding through floors, walls and broken light fixtures.
After damage was assessed, Physical Plant staff and first responders deemed a majority of Farris Hall unlivable. Resident Director Traci Squarcette, resident assistants and other university staff helped students retrieve essential belongings such as laptops, backpacks and clothing to bring while being temporarily relocated for the night.
Student Life staff arranged temporary housing for affected residents, offering female residents rooms in Johnson Hall and male residents rooms in Gettys Hall. In the days that followed, students who could not return to Farris Hall moved all their belongings into other on-campus apartments including Garner Hall and College View.
Vice President for Student Life Dr. Brandon Skaggs reported that approximately two-thirds of Farris Hall was damaged. The north side of the building remains safe for occupancy, and Student Life estimated around 90 Farris Hall residents needed to be rehoused.
Separate water heater issues occurred in the week leading up to the flooding. Senior music education major and previous Farris Hall resident Noah Gonzalez said residents received an email stating a third-floor heater needed replacement, and in the meantime a water heater on the building’s fourth floor would assist with providing hot water for the third floor. While students believe this may have been the cause of the flooding, university officials found no correlation between the two events.
“As of now, we know the water pressure build up caused the water heater top to partially separate from the tank, which then caused plumbing disconnections,” said Ashley Smith, marketing and public relations director. She explained how this separation likely led to the sudden malfunction and widespread damage in Farris Hall.
The water heater had been replaced two years ago. UMHB is working with the manufacturer to determine the cause of the incident. Physical Plant staff will continue evaluating the situation as the manufacturer supplies more information on determining the cause of the incident. With repairs underway and construction expected throughout the summer, the building is expected to reopen for student housing in the Fall 2026 semester.
Farris Hall is one of the most expensive apartment options on campus for students, some displaced students expressed concerns regarding compensation. “We work with the business office to make it right for students,” Skaggs said. “We will do our best to accommodate the students as needed.”
“[UMHB] has been very accommodating through this,” senior English major and current Farris resident Emma Smith said. She encouraged students to show grace and patience, noting the situation was beyond the university’s control. “It’s okay to be upset, but I think they are doing the best they can,” Smith said.
During the response, resident assistants from other dorms and apartments volunteered to help students pack, faculty members transported students to new housing assignments and Student Life staff assisted with washing and cleaning residents belongings. On the night of the flooding, 17 Physical Plant team members responded immediately.
“Thank you for your flexibility,” Skaggs said to affected students. “It was something that was unforeseen. Sometimes there are equipment failures.” University departments, such as Physical Plant and Student Life, continue to work together to provide students with resources and information.
Students with questions or concerns regarding Farris Hall are encouraged to contact Resident Director Traci Squarcette or Campus Police. Current Farris Residents with non-urgent damage-related issues can put in a work order, and Physical Plant will address the request.
