Update: 12:40 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22:
Fremont Hall will be closed for the rest of the academic year, according to an email from university spokesperson Matt Lazier.
The slide area is growing, and mud and debris is now encroaching on the study hall area in Fremont Hall. The university determined that the resident hall will be uninhabitable for the foreseeable future because of the expected impact of future rainstorms.
Fremont Hall residents are being escorted to retrieve their belongings and are being relocated to various places throughout campus housing.
The mudslide is a safety risk and all students, faculty and community members are encouraged to avoid the area.
The building has no structural damage from the mudslide. Crew members are removing soil and debris from the area to keep pressure off the structure. Work for long-term repair will likely begin after more sustained dry weather, according to Lazier.
Update: 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19:
Both high-risk eucalyptus trees were safely taken down from behind Fremont Hall. Once all the fallen trees are cleaned up on Monday, Cal Poly will start removal of the earth material from behind the retaining wall area.
The retaining wall is heavily stressed and moved significantly throughout the day at multiple locations. Plumbers were able to dig a pit and sink a pump into the east sidewalk area to keep water from seeping inside the study room.
The mud slide is continuing to grow and is heavily impacted by the rain. Fremont Hall remains unsafe for students to return.
Update: 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18:
The evacuation order was expanded to the entire building. After leaving, students may not be allowed to re-enter until declared safe to do so.
Students will receive new on-campus housing locations prior to leaving and will receive assistance in moving their belongings.
[metaslider id=152022]
Update: 12:56 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18:
At 12:56 p.m., students received an emergency notification to evacuate the Fremont Hall north wing (odd numbered rooms) due to unstable soil and hazardous trees along the hillside behind the building.
Original post, Wednesday, Feb 15:
University Housing has been monitoring shifting soil behind Fremont Hall because of mudslide concerns with more rain expected to start Thursday and last through the weekend. While they do not anticipate an evacuation, Fremont residents attended a mandatory meeting at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday to address their concerns.
Resident assistants in Poly Canyon Village were checking on rooms with empty beds to see if, in the event that an evacuation was necessary, there was space to put the students.
“We know there are enough available bed spaces in campus housing to accommodate all Fremont Hall residents,” University Housing said in a post on the Cal Poly Parent Facebook Page. “Should they need to relocate, students will receive an email indicating their new housing location, and be provided instructions on where and how to obtain the key to another space.”
At the meeting, students were asked to keep a “go-bag” ready in the event that they need to leave the building.
Check back for continuous updates.