Dear students,
We are writing to let you know that a chilled water pipe burst and flooded parts of Page and Flowers, including the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture (MLWC) this morning. An assessment of damages and plans for the short-term relocation of staff and programming space is underway.
Access to the Flowers Building has been restricted to essential personnel. We will provide updates about access to the space as soon as we are able. All space reservations within the MLWC (The Underground Multipurpose Room, the Library, and The Julian Abele Conference Room) will be cancelled for the remainder of the week and possibly extending further. We are working with UCAE staff to assist with relocating reservations. Individuals and groups with reservations will be contacted directly.
We recognize that for some of you the Mary Lou is your home away from home at Duke and we will continue to support you during this time. We thank you for your patience and understanding following this unfortunate event and will provide the community with an update on a possible timeline of when the MLWC will be operational again. Students are still able to contact MLWC staff by emailing marylou@duke.edu, but please be aware that there may be a delay in response as a result of the short-term relocation and ongoing situation.
Better together,
Dawna Jones
Director, MLWC, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for Identity Centers and Community Development
Quinton Smith
Associate Director, MLWC
Samaiyah Faison
Assistant Director, MLWC
Ann El
Office Coordinator, MLWC
