By Hussein Ali Rifath
Several classes and offices at Hagedorn Hall were temporarily relocated last October immediately after routine building inspections discovered an excessive accumulation of moisture and elevated mold levels. Shortly thereafter, the university recruited licensed contractors to begin the work of remediating the affected areas and conduct repairs as necessary. Joseph Battaglia '05, MS '14, assistant vice president and project management officer, explained in an email that this project was a joint effort led by Adelphi’s Facilities Management and Project Management offices.
Battaglia noted that a total of 11 classrooms were affected: 109, 111, 113, 119, 204, 206, 209, 210, 214, 215 and 217. They housed classes for various subjects, including English, business and finance. Most of these classes returned to their original locations at Hagedorn in early December after their classrooms passed environmental tests conducted once all necessary work was completed. Battaglia explained that classroom 208, however, was forced to remain off-limits for the rest of the semester due to a leaky pipe requiring extensive repairs; its classes remained at their temporary locations for the rest of the semester. During the January intersession, the pipe repairs were completed along with a refurbishment of the glass stairwell located at the southern wing of Hagedorn Hall, which was refreshed with new paint, handrails and ceiling panels.
Battaglia collaborated with university partners Carol Ann Boyle, MBA ’17, vice president of Facilities and Information Technology and Robert Shipley '05, assistant vice president for Facilities Management, to coordinate the project to restore all the affected areas to a safe and satisfactory condition.
“The remediation work included cleaning HVAC systems, repairing leaks, treating mold in affected areas, and extensively improving air circulation,” Battaglia said. “The university removed and replaced HVAC unit insulation, undertook some minor construction to remove and replace or repair ceilings, walls and wood affected by moisture and cleaned carpets. Roof repairs were also made after an inspection found a leak.”
Battaglia explained that due to the unpredictable nature of plumbing repairs, identifying hidden leaks and addressing the root causes of moisture issues proved to be a challenge.
“For example, one significant challenge was a previously undetected leak in Room 111, which required opening the wall, addressing the leak, and repairing the damage to the wall,” he said. “A broken valve caused a leak in Rooms 308 and 329, necessitating repairs and carpet cleaning.”
This was not the first time Hagedorn Hall has undergone renovations in recent years. According to Battaglia, Hagedorn Hall has undergone significant maintenance and updates over the past decade. He explained: “In summer 2024, the building’s floors were refinished, and the trading room was renovated as part of broader building improvements. [...] In 2019, the first and second-floor restrooms were renovated to new standards. [...] In 2017, classrooms 102, 105, 106, and 107 were renovated to accommodate new tablet armchairs, 11 rooms were painted and recarpeted, and Suite 201 was updated for Robert B. Willumstad School of Business offices.”
Battaglia said that the repairs at Hagedorn came as the university was in the process of implementing a new mold policy designed to introduce preventive measures to protect HVAC systems across campus, as well as routine environmental testing during peak moisture times done in hopes of catching problems as soon as possible. To support this strategy, Battaglia said, “Facilities are installing moisture sensor alarms in buildings to detect leaks early and ensure a quick response, and employees have been trained to detect and report potential issues promptly.
Facilities Management plans to do further work across campus so that it can make steady improvements. “Adelphi is committed to ongoing improvements to ensure a safe and welcoming academic environment,” said Battaglia. “Our long-term Facilities improvement plan is focused on continually modernizing our learning spaces, enhancing the overall campus environment, and continuously ensuring accessibility, sustainability, and energy efficiency while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Our capital projects are carefully planned and executed to support the evolving needs of our students, faculty, and staff. We prioritize sustainable practices and energy-efficient solutions in all renovations and new constructions, ensuring that our campus remains a forward-thinking, environmentally-conscious place to learn and work. All major capital projects are reviewed and approved by our Board of Trustees.”
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