Faculty members are raising concerns about deteriorating building conditions at Queen’s, citing ongoing elevator outages, inconsistent classroom temperatures, and water leaks that have disrupted teaching and accessibility on campus.
Lorena Jessop, co-chair of the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) Joint Health and Safety Committee, told The Journal she regularly receives complaints from faculty about building conditions.
“Temperature issues, elevator issues, and I guess leaks would be the biggest issues that we see on campus,” Jessop said.
However, she believes the University has increased its efforts to address the deferred maintenance over the past year.
In a statement to The Journal, Queen’s Facilities acknowledged the challenges associated with maintaining aging campus infrastructure, explaining that available funding requires the University to prioritize certain projects over others.
“Our teams continue to address immediate operational needs, respond to equipment failures, and undertake preventive maintenance to extend the useful life of existing assets,” the statement said.
The University said maintenance priorities are determined through a risk-based approach, with health, safety, accessibility, and critical building operations guiding their resource allocation decisions.
Classroom temperatures disrupt teaching
Among the concerns Jessop receives are reports of classrooms becoming too hot or cold, sometimes interfering with the instructors’ ability to teach.
She emphasized that temperature problems can be difficult to address in larger lecture halls, where relocating classes may not be possible.
“If you lose class time because a room isn’t the correct temperature, that’s devastating for both the instructor and the students,” she said.
She also described concerns about temperature regulation in Stauffer Library, where she said some employees have reportedly needed heaters during the summer and fans during the winter.
The University explained that heating and cooling systems cannot practically switch back and forth whenever outdoor temperatures fluctuate, potentially leaving some spaces warmer or colder than expected.
At Stauffer Library, Queen’s Facilities said a recent temperature issue was traced to a malfunctioning outdoor air temperature sensor, which impacted the building’s ventilation system.
Facilities is also preparing to adjust the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning controls in six campus buildings to improve temperature regulation, reliability, and energy efficiency.
Elevator outages raise accessibility concerns
Jessop also raised concerns about prolonged elevator outages in several campus buildings including Watson Hall, Chernoff Hall, Stauffer Library, and Jeffery Hall.
Some faculty members in Watson Hall have had to relocate their offices to the first floor or other buildings, or climb several flights of stairs because of elevator accessibility issues, according to Jessop.
She explained that some elevator repairs may be delayed because specialized equipment or replacement parts are required.
Queen’s Facilities acknowledged the accessibility challenges associated with elevator outages, noting the University has more than 140 elevators across campus. It acknowledged several modernization projects are underway or planned.
Douglas Library’s elevators were modernized in 2025-26 while work at Dunning Hall is beginning. Jeffery Hall’s elevator is scheduled for modernization in May 2027, and construction is underway to add a second elevator to Watson Hall.
Jessop acknowledged the University’s efforts to improve accessibility, but said the work can create additional disruptions for building occupants.
She described encountering damaged pavement while using a mobility scooter on campus, which she reported to the University last spring.
Water leak at Bracken Health Science Library
Water management is another concern, with Jessop pointing to an ongoing leak at Bracken Library in Bottorell Hall.
She described water dripping onto a tarp before being directed into a bucket that must be emptied.
Queen’s Facilities confirmed temporary water collection measures have been installed to manage an ongoing leak associated with the building’s podium roof deck.
The University said a permanent solution requires replacing the affected roof assembly. The project is currently in the design phase, with construction expected to take approximately two years to complete once it begins in 2027-28.
Custodial services and communication concerns
Beyond building repairs, Jessop pointed to issues with custodial services, particularly the cleanliness of campus libraries during busy academic periods.
She said library employees have expressed frustration with washroom conditions, especially during exam periods and holidays.
Jessop also said faculty members are responsible for removing garbage and recycling from their offices, and that their offices are cleaned at most once a year.
In its statement, Queen’s Facilities said it has changed how custodial services are allocated, with cleaning resources now distributed based on how frequently buildings are used and how many people occupy them.
The University said the approach allows it to prioritize cleaning services in areas with greater demand, adding it allows resources to be better aligned with campus needs.
Queen’s Facilities acknowledged that sustained investment is important to ensuring the long-term reliability of campus buildings.
Jessop said she hopes the University’s recent maintenance efforts will continue.
Tags
Health & Safety, Maintenance, underfunding
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