Summary

About 400 students were evacuated from Cambridge Commons shortly after 10 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28 due to a carbon monoxide leak. Seventeen students were taken to hospitals for assessment or treatment for carbon monoxide exposure. All were released by the following morning.

UWM police went to Cambridge Commons shortly before 10 p.m. in response to a welfare check requested by a parent whose student was being treated at an area hospital for carbon monoxide exposure; the parents asked police to check on the student's roommate. At around the same time, students began complaining to front desk staff about headaches, dizziness and other symptoms.

UWM police contacted the Milwaukee Fire Department, which arrived at 10:20 p.m. Firefighters detected elevated levels of carbon monoxide and ordered an evacuation of the building. Students were moved to RiverView residence hall while firefighters checked every room and opened windows to ventilate the building. Firefighters identified a boiler in the basement as the probable source of the leak. They departed shortly before 3 a.m., after determining there was no longer a dangerous level of carbon monoxide.

University Housing staff reopened Cambridge Commons just before 4 a.m., and most students returned at that time. Students who had safety concerns were given the option to relocate. Fourteen students with rooms in the north end of the building were moved to other residence halls in anticipation of boiler repairs that were expected to take about a month.

Around noon on Tuesday, March 1, five additional students complained of carbon monoxide symptoms. An ambulance was called, and the students were evaluated on site. They declined transportation to the hospital. The Milwaukee Fire Department also responded to the ambulance call and conducted a new set of carbon monoxide tests and reported no positive readings.

Cambridge Commons residents and other students had the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback during a March 9, 2022 town hall with the vice chancellor for Student Affairs, director of University Housing and dean of students. Several dozen students participated in the event at the residence hall.

Three topics of concern emerged as the primary themes:

• The timing and content of communications
• Students said there needed to be more communications, and it needed to happen more quickly. They wanted information on site the night of the leak, and not just from their resident assistants (RAs).
• A point of contact needed to be established for parents and families. Many students left without their phones or chargers and had no way of letting their families know they were OK.
• A Safety Alert via RAVE (or something similar just for residents) would have let those not in the building or guests in the building know what was happening. Students wanted one both at the onset of the incident and for the “all clear.”
• An email should have gone out earlier Tuesday (the morning after the incident) to convey the “all clear” message and let students know it was OK to return to Cambridge Commons.
• Students said messages explaining that carbon monoxide detectors weren’t legally required did not address the human impact of what happened. They wanted clear communication about what the university was doing to resolve the issue and keep them safe, including information about existing safety and emergency response plans.
• Compensation
• Students who went to the hospital often left without phones, money or other belongings. UWM needed a way to communicate with them and to provide a way for them to get back to campus.
• Students asked for compensation for medical bills, ambulance rides and the loss of wages.
• They also circulated a petition asking for refunds for the spring semester cost of housing and to be able to terminate their housing contracts without penalty if they wanted to move off campus.
• Students asked UWM consider compensation for Cambridge Commons RAs who supported them during the evacuation and overnight at RiverView residence hall.
• Ongoing safety concerns
• Students continued to have questions about carbon monoxide detectors and what other gaps may exist in either building systems or emergency protocols. Several said they want to see the final inspection report from Cambridge Commons, and all wanted assurance that UWM was doing something to fix the situation.
• Several residents said they now feel stuck because they feel unsafe living in Cambridge Commons but do not have the resources or money to move out.
• Students expressed a loss of trust; they said the incident was traumatizing, and the messaging and money credited to Gold Accounts showed a lack of sympathy. They were also unhappy that their instructors weren’t made aware of the severity of the incident and its impact on their studies.
• Students said UWM should educate future students about the signs and symptoms of CO2 poisoning and review its current emergency plans and training.

Initial University Statement

Students temporarily evacuated from residence hall after carbon monoxide leak

Students were evacuated from Cambridge Commons residence hall Monday night due to a carbon monoxide leak, and more than a dozen were taken to area hospitals for assessment or treatment for carbon monoxide exposure.

University Housing staff became aware of the problem when students came to the front desk complaining of headaches, dizziness and other symptoms. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee Fire Department were contacted.

Firefighters assessed the building, determined there were elevated levels of carbon monoxide and ordered an evacuation around 10 p.m. The fire department eventually identified a boiler in the basement on the north end of the building as the probable source of the leak.

About 400 students moved temporarily from Cambridge Commons to RiverView residence hall. Others went to stay with friends in other residence halls or off campus.

The boiler was shut down, and windows opened to provide ventilation.

By 5 a.m., Cambridge Commons residents were told that they could return to their residence hall if they wished. All Cambridge Commons residents have been given the option of moving to another residence hall if they have safety concerns, and those who live in the building’s north end will have to move while boiler repairs are being done. This is expected to take about a month.

Additional University Statements

Updated news release (March 1, 2022)

Students were evacuated from Cambridge Commons residence hall Monday night due to a carbon monoxide leak, and 17 were taken to area hospitals for assessment or treatment for carbon monoxide exposure. All have been released.

University Housing staff became aware of the problem when students came to the front desk complaining of headaches, dizziness and other symptoms. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee Fire Department were contacted.

Firefighters assessed the building, determined there were elevated levels of carbon monoxide and ordered an evacuation around 10 p.m. The fire department eventually identified a boiler in the basement on the north end of the building as the probable source of the leak.

About 400 students moved temporarily from Cambridge Commons to RiverView residence hall. Others went to stay with friends in other residence halls or off campus.

The boiler was shut down, and windows opened to provide ventilation.

By 5 a.m., Cambridge Commons residents were told that they could return to their residence hall if they wished. All Cambridge Commons residents have been given the option of moving to another residence hall if they have safety concerns, and those who live in the building’s north end will have to move while boiler repairs are being done. This is expected to take about a month.

Email to Cambridge Commons Residents (March 1, 2022)

Dear Cambridge Residents,

Thank you once again for your cooperation in helping facilitate the evacuation of Cambridge Commons last night (February 28, 2022). UWM and University Housing are continuing to investigate the cause of the situation. Early this morning (March 1, 2022) Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) and Wisconsin Energies (WE) were able to locate the source of the carbon monoxide (CO) and disable it.

At this time, all building services have been restored.

UWM Police, University Housing, and Milwaukee Fire Department have been working in close collaboration to ensure that Cambridge Commons is, and continues to be, safe for students to return and live in their rooms.

At 5:00 am MFD completed an evaluation of the entire residence hall and reported a 0% carbon monoxide (CO) reading and declared Cambridge Commons ready for re-occupancy.

At 1:00 pm MFD completed a second evaluation and reaffirmed the 0% carbon monoxide (CO) reading throughout the Cambridge Commons complex.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common symptoms of CO poisoning are:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Chest pain
• Confusion

If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure, please find transportation to the nearest hospital where they can assess the amount of carbon monoxide in your blood. If you are unable to reach a hospital but do not feel that you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact University Police at 414-229-4627.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call (9)911.

If you have been treated, or are seeking treatment for carbon monoxide (CO) exposure due to this incident, please report this to the University using this General Incident Report Form, on the UWM Safety and Assurances website.

Thankful for your cooperation,
University Housing

Message to Parents (March 1, 2022)

Students were temporarily evacuated from Cambridge Commons residence hall Monday night due to a carbon monoxide leak. As of about 8 a.m. today, more than a dozen had been taken to area hospitals for assessment or treatment.

University Housing staff became aware of the problem when students came to the front desk, complaining of headaches, dizziness and other symptoms. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee Fire Department were alerted.

Firefighters ordered an evacuation around 10 pm. after detecting elevated levels of carbon monoxide. They went room to room to ensure no students were left, and they opened windows as they went to ventilate the building. Eventually, firefighters traced the leak to a boiler in the basement of the building’s north end.

About 400 students moved temporarily to RiverView residence hall, which is a block from Cambridge Commons. University Housing staff provided them with food, beverages and linens to make them comfortable. Other students chose to stay with friends in other residence halls or off campus.

Firefighters gave permission for students to move back into Cambridge Commons about 5 a.m. There was no heat or hot water at that time because the boiler had been shut down.

Heat and hot water remain off in Cambridge Common’s north end, and students who live in that area will be relocated as boiler repairs are expected to take at least a month. University Housing staff will be contacting those students to make arrangements.

Students who have safety concerns have the option of moving to other residence halls. Those who wish to do so should email university-housing@uwm.edu.

Statement to News Media (March 1, 2022)

We are very grateful that all 17 students taken to hospitals for assessment or treatment after last night’s carbon monoxide leak in Cambridge Commons were released earlier this morning. We want to thank the UWM Police Department, Milwaukee Fire Department and our University Housing staff for their fast action in evacuating students. We are now focused on relocating students who will need to move while the boiler in Cambridge Commons is repaired.

Email to Cambridge Commons Residents (March 3, 2022)

Dear Cambridge Commons residents,

We wanted to reach out to you and check in, after the emergency evacuation of Cambridge Commons on Monday night and a carbon monoxide alarm that went off today. We know this has been a stressful week, and we appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time.

Today’s alarm happened during a test of a hot water boiler that had been shut down for repairs. The Milwaukee Fire Department previously identified that boiler as the probable source of Monday’s carbon monoxide leak. After the alarm went off today, University Safety & Assurances quickly checked the building for carbon monoxide, and it is clear.

Please know that we have been monitoring the building on an ongoing basis since Monday. Your safety is our top priority.

At the same time, we realize you may not have received as much information as you wanted during the evacuation. We apologize for that. Our focus at the time was on making sure everyone was safe, and we will strive to communicate more quickly with you in the future.

Today, representatives from Academic Advising, Student Success Center, University Housing and University Counseling Services will be available to talk with students from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Cambridge Commons lobby. Residents will have a chance to talk about issues around academic support and their personal well-being.

A webpage has been set up with information about this incident and will be updated as more details become available.

If you have medical bills related to this incident, please go to this webpage and complete the General Incident Report 300A2 form for student injuries or incidents.

If you have additional concerns, email the Dean of Students Office at dos@uwm.edu, or call 414-229-4632. Thank you for working with us as we continue to address this situation.

Email to All Students (March 3, 2022)

Dear students,

As many of you have heard, Cambridge Commons was evacuated Monday night because of a carbon monoxide leak. Seventeen students were taken to hospitals for assessment or treatment for carbon monoxide exposure. All were released by Tuesday morning.

The Milwaukee Fire Department identified the probable source of the leak as a hot water boiler that has been shut down. While the incident remains under investigation, UWM has since installed dozens of carbon monoxide detectors in common areas of all its residence halls.

We have heard from some of you regarding frustrations with communications about this incident. While information was sent directly to the students involved, broader communication to the campus community did not take place in a timely manner. We apologize for that.

We want to support you. Today, representatives from Academic Advising, Student Success Center, University Housing and University Counseling Services will be available to talk with students in the lobby of Cambridge Commons from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Residents will have a chance to talk with many campus partners who can help with issues around academic support and personal well-being.

If you have additional concerns or questions, please contact the Dean of Students Office at dos@uwm.edu or 414-229-4632. You also can find information about this incident on this webpage.

Email to Faculty and Staff (March 3, 2022)

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Many of you have probably seen news reports about Monday night’s carbon monoxide leak at Cambridge Commons. About 400 students were evacuated from the building, and 17 were taken to area hospitals for assessment or treatment for carbon monoxide exposure.

University Housing staff reacted quickly to the situation, working with UWM police and the Milwaukee Fire Department, and we are grateful that all the students taken to the hospital were released by the following morning. We realize it would have been helpful for instructors and advisors to have received an email about this event on Tuesday, so they were prepared to accommodate affected students. We apologize for the lack of communication.

The incident remains under investigation, but here is what we can tell you right now:

• The Milwaukee Fire Department identified a hot water boiler in the north end of the basement as the probable source of the leak; it has been shut down, pending repairs.
• The building has been ventilated, and subsequent checks for carbon monoxide found none.
• Carbon monoxide detectors have been placed in common areas of all UWM residence halls.
• Students living in Cambridge Commons have been given the option of moving to other residence halls if they feel unsafe.
• UWM is providing $100 in compensation to students who had to evacuate, with additional payment to 14 students who had to relocate permanently due to pending repairs.
• University Housing is hosting a student resident “check-in” from 4:30 to 6 p.m. today in the Cambridge Commons Lobby to provide support for affected students. Representatives from Academic Advising, Student Success Center, University Housing and University Counseling Services will be there.

A webpage with information about the event has been created and will be updated as information becomes available.

If you are working with students who have questions about the incident or who need support, please direct them to the Dean of Students Office at dos@uwm.edu.

Panther Families Message to Parents (March 3, 2022)

You may have seen news reports or heard from your students about the evacuation of the Cambridge Commons residence hall on Monday night. More than 400 students were quickly moved to the nearby RiverView residence hall after University Housing staff learned of a carbon monoxide leak in Cambridge Commons. Seventeen students were assessed or treated for carbon monoxide exposure at local hospitals. Thankfully, all were released by Tuesday morning.

The Milwaukee Fire Department identified the probable source of the leak as a hot water boiler that has been shut down. While the incident remains under investigation, UWM has since installed dozens of carbon monoxide detectors in common areas of all its residence halls.

If you are a parent or family member of a Cambridge Commons student, please see the email sent today to your student.

If you are a parent or family member of other UWM students and would like more information, please see the email sent to all students.

A webpage has been set up with information about this incident and will be updated as more details become available. If you have questions about this incident, please contact us at panther-families@uwm.edu.

Email to Students, Faculty and Staff (March 7, 2022)

The most frequent, and understandable, question we have received is “Why weren’t there carbon monoxide detectors in Cambridge Commons?” Under the commercial building code, residential buildings that are heated using steam, which includes Cambridge Commons, are not required to have carbon monoxide detectors in individual residential units or generally throughout the building. The boiler that we believe caused the carbon monoxide is not a furnace that forces air through the building. Rather, it heats water that is used to heat the building through a piped hot water heating system. The building undergoes annual fire inspections, and carbon monoxide detectors were not recommended, nor have we had any prior carbon monoxide incidents on campus. Even though one boiler has been cited as the likely cause, the specific cause for the carbon monoxide leak and how it entered the residential areas are still being investigated, which may take some time.

We recognize, however, that UWM’s reliance on the requirements of the commercial building code gives little comfort to our students, as it didn’t prevent this situation from occurring. This is why we have since installed temporary carbon monoxide detectors throughout Cambridge Commons and other residence halls and are determining their long-term placement. We are thankful to the students and parents who had the presence of mind to notify the university once they knew they were ill due to carbon monoxide. As a result of those alerts, we were able to evacuate the building quickly and prevent more illness.

This incident has shaken our students’ trust, and we are deeply sorry for that. We are reviewing all potential carbon monoxide sources across campus and installing appropriate monitoring, regardless of whether it is legally required. The health and safety of our campus community is our highest priority, and we are committed to following recommended best practices.

Sincerely,
Kelly Haag
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Email and Hard Copy Letter Sent to Students Who Had Medical Treatment (March 15, 2022)

Dear [Student’s Name],

We are aware that you were transported for medical evaluation and potential treatment as the result of the carbon monoxide leak at Cambridge Commons last week. Please find attached a Claimant Report of Incident form that needs to be completed to submit a liability claim against UWM, should you choose to do so. For any questions or concerns regarding other matters associated with the incident, or if you need support, please contact the Dean of Students office at dos@uwm.edu.

UWM, as an entity of the State, is self-funded for liability protection for claims made based on the specific negligence of an individual employee whose actions led to the damage or injury. Negligence is defined as the failure to act or respond as any reasonable person or entity would have under the same or similar circumstances.

Please complete the enclosed Claimant Report of Incident form to the best of your ability and:

• Identify the negligent employee(s) when completing the attached incident report
• Include any other supporting documentation you may have such as physician and hospital bills or an Explanation of Benefits form from any applicable insurance company
• Sign and date the form so that it can be considered complete; and
• Return all information to me at the address listed above or via email or fax.

While we cannot guarantee that the State of Wisconsin will pay your claim, we will evaluate your claim once all information is received and forward to the Bureau of State Risk Management for their decision. They have the final authority in paying liability claims for the State of Wisconsin.

If you decide not to file a claim, please let us so we can remove you from our contact list.

Sincerely,
Jim J. Olson
AGENCY RISK MANAGER

Enclosures: CLAIMANT REPORT OF INCIDENT

Email to Cambridge Commons Residents (March 18, 2022)

Cambridge Residents,

University Housing would like to thank all our Cambridge Commons residents who have reached out to staff or attended last week’s Town Hall meeting. We appreciate your time and thoughtful conversations. You have shared your concerns, frustrations, and even some of the things you thought were handled well as we dealt with a challenging situation on February 28th. Please know that we have heard you and will continue to listen.

We are taking further action to ensure your safety. Carbon monoxide detection devices have been installed throughout Cambridge and our other residence halls. This is in addition to existing safety and security measures (see Resident Handbook, p.18). Additionally, our housing staff, maintenance staff, and UWM police monitor our buildings to minimize dangers. This now includes carbon monoxide detection, assessment by University Safety & Assurances of all potential carbon monoxide sources on campus, and installing detectors where appropriate. As you know, in this case, students alerted us to this situation. We remain grateful for that and encourage you to report any potential dangers you hear about or see.

If you still have concerns or continue to experience challenges due to the carbon monoxide leak, please reach out to the Residence Life Coordinator for Cambridge Commons Isaiah Merrill (merrilli@uwm.edu). There are many UWM resources to help you. The Norris Health Center and University Counseling are ready to help you with any medical or mental health issues (like anxiety, trouble sleeping, etc.). You may also make a claim (General Incident Form) for medical expenses due to this incident. If you have encountered challenges with your coursework, or need help getting caught up, please contact the Dean of Students Office or your Academic Advisor who are fully aware of the situation and are ready to work with you to find the best solutions possible.

Again, if you continue to experience challenges with your stay in Cambridge Commons, we want to help you. Please take the time to reach out to a professional staff member in University Housing to express your concerns. Our mission is to ensure you live in a safe, comfortable, and welcoming community environment.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.

Email to Cambridge Commons Residents (May 23, 2022)

Hello Cambridge Commons Residents and Housing Staff,

On Wednesday, May 25 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., contractors will be conducting an inspection and performing maintenance on the facility’s boilers. Staff from University Housing and University Safety and Assurances also will be on site, monitoring the inspection closely. The air in the building will be monitored throughout the inspection and maintenance.

Here’s what you need to know:

• There is no need for you to leave your room or the building during the inspection/maintenance unless you are instructed to do so.
• If you hear a local carbon monoxide (CO) monitor alarm, please notify security at the Cambridge Service Desk. Security staff will be in two-way communication with staff in the boiler room. If an alarm is reported, staff will assess that area of the building for CO and take appropriate actions.
• If there is a potential risk to health and safety, University Housing staff will communicate instructions, including a possible evacuation, to building occupants via the public address (PA) system loudspeaker. You only need to evacuate the building if an announcement is made over the loudspeaker.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact University Safety and Assurances at riskmgt@uwm.edu. Please know that your safety is our top priority.

Thank you,

University Housing

Outcome

University Housing installed carbon monoxide detectors in public areas of UWM residence halls on March 1-2, 2022. The detectors were not required by building codes and were installed as a precautionary measure while the incident remains under investigation. Students in Cambridge Commons also can ask security staff there to check their rooms with a handheld monitor.

The UWM police report regarding the incident was released to the media and public on March 18, 2022.

Students living in Cambridge Commons received $100 in credits to their Gold accounts in March 2022 to compensate them for the night in RiverView. Fourteen students who moved rooms in anticipation of boiler repairs received credits of $250. All students who submitted timely medical claims were offered compensation from the Wisconsin Department of Administration.

Boiler repairs were completed on Aug. 18, 2022.