Humanities Centre is set to reopen

A view of the Humanities Centre at the University of Alberta in summer

Crews have completed work on remediating the Humanities Centre after the electrical vault fire in December 2023, and the university is moving forward with plans to reoccupy the building.

The U of A is committed to the safety of our university community above all else. Samples of air and touch surfaces have been compared with samples taken prior to cleaning by the contracted Hygienist and surface cleaning and air quality standards have been met.

Reoccupation of the Humanities Centre will occur gradually over the coming weeks, with the initial groups expected to return in mid-June. Stay informed about the timeline for staff returning to the building by monitoring emails from your college, faculty and departmental leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions

What work was done as part of the remediation and restoration?

Work included thorough cleaning and restoration of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units, ventilation and distribution systems and extensive multi-surface cleaning of all interior physical spaces.

Two-stage smoke cleaning of interior structures and contents/items within included high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) vacuuming with a brush head attachment followed by wiping with a soap and water solution. Textured ceilings and walls were HEPA vacuum cleaned, all drapery was taken down, bagged, labeled and laundered and carpeted areas and fabric chairs/materials were steam cleaned.

How did you ensure cleaning and air quality standards have been met?

Ongoing environmental testing occurred throughout all phases of the process, including combustion particulate sampling, background air sampling and ongoing air quality sampling.

Samples of air and touch surfaces have been compared with samples taken prior to cleaning by the contracted Hygienist and surface cleaning and air quality standards have been met.

When will I know more about my office space?

The College and Faculty Deans are working with Facilities and Operations to review current office assignments to ensure alignment with current space guidelines and future plans for the Humanities Centre. Information will come directly from your College or Faculty contacts.

Will everyone be returning to the same space(s) they had before?

As part of the university’s commitment to using its spaces as effectively and efficiently as possible, leadership from within the Faculty of Arts, the College of Social Sciences and the Humanities, and Facilities and Operations are working to reoccupy the building in accordance with current guidelines (Space Management Overview, 2020) and in alignment with current policies and procedures (the Space Management Policy and related procedures on UAPPOL, and the Space Management - Interim Guidance Memo, dated February 8, 2024). This means that some people may be assigned different spaces for offices within the Humanities Centre, or that alternate locations may be identified for affiliated units.

This standardized approach following guidelines may also mean some people may no longer have a dedicated office in the Humanities Centre. In the coming weeks, more information will come from college, faculty and departmental leadership to those impacted by these changes.

Will the Humanities Centre remain open indefinitely?

The building’s eventual trajectory remains unchanged. As mentioned in the university’s 2022-2023 capital plan, the university plans to bring the Faculty of Arts into more co-located and consolidated spaces (currently spread over nine buildings), eventually resulting in the decanting (vacating) of the building. Other buildings are being considered for redevelopment to appropriately accommodate the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. Find more information on capital plans and space strategies here.