Electricity problem shuts down HUB; will continue today

HUB-goers found themelves in the dark yesterday after a transformer blew late Wednesday night in the Penn State Book Store.

The transformer blow out caused a power outage that will continue throughout most of today.

The bookstore, offices on the second and third floors of the HUB, and all HUB eateries except The Cellar lost electricity, said Paul Ruskin, spokesperson for the Office of Physical Plant.

OPP is working to restore power by this afternoon, he said.

The problem was not caused by Wednesday night's storm, but by an old transformer, Ruskin said.

The power outage is causing problems for student organizations needing to get money from Associated Student Activities (ASA) for purchases and travel expenses during spring break, said Stan Latta, director of Union and Student Activities.

Because ASA's computers cannot be accessed to provide checks, groups in need of money can request payment vouchers from Student Activities, he said.

-- by Tracy Wilson