July 27, 2012: McDermott Library will be closed Sunday, July 29, through noon Monday, July 30.  Pedestrian access to the central mall and Trellis Plaza will be very limited while work to remove a collapsed crane from the adjacent construction site is under way. The tennis courts will also be closed.

Students, faculty, staff and visitors are asked to avoid the southeast side of campus until the work is completed.  It is expected that this process will take a day and a half. The schedule is subject to change as needed. Monitor the homepage, News Center and UT Dallas facebook page for updates.  Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring our community’s safety.

July 11, 2012: More than 350 students, staff and members of the community gathered Wednesday at UT Dallas to honor two construction workers killed in a crane collapse over the weekend. Student leaders organized the Moment of Reflection as a way for the campus community to express its support and condolences to the families of Terry Weaver, of Grand Saline, and Thomas Fairbrother Jr., of Austin. (See story)

July 10, 2012: UT Dallas students have established a benefit and memorial fund for the two construction workers killed in the accident.  To make a contribution to this fund for their families, go to the online Construction Workers’ Memorial Fund page, enter the amount you wish to contribute and click “Add To Cart.”

July 9, 2012:  UT Dallas student leaders are organizing a Moment of Reflection at noon Wednesday on the campus mall to honor two construction workers who were killed July 7 in a crane collapse on campus.

The event is a response to student concern over the accident, said Dr. Gene Fitch, dean of students.

“This is a way in which we can honor the deceased and show our respect to the families of those who lost their loved ones. It also is an opportunity for us to grieve as a community,” Dr. Fitch said.

Student Government president Raj Dwivedi will address the gathering at “Spirit Rock,” just outside the Green Hall at the center of campus. Dr. Tom Linehan, director of the Arts and Technology program, also will offer remarks.

The offices of Student Affairs and Student Volunteerism are helping to coordinate the event, which is open to the public.

July 9, 2012: University counseling services are available free of charge to UT Dallas community members in need of help after Saturday’s accident.   For details or help scheduling an appointment,  call the centers or consult their websites.  

July 9, 2012: Classes will be held as scheduled and campus access will return to normal Monday as investigators seek the cause of an accident that claimed the lives of two construction workers over the weekend.

July 8, 2012: The UT System’s Office of Facilities Planning and Construction released the following statement:

A construction crane at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Arts and Technology Building collapsed Saturday afternoon, killing two construction workers. The crane was being dismantled when it fell across the building. The two workers were employees of Harrison Crane and Hoist, an outside construction firm. No UT Dallas students or employees were injured. Our sympathy and deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues of the two workers killed in this tragic accident.

Our primary concern at this point is maintaining the safety of the students, faculty and staff, and of the site construction workers.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. OSHA was notified immediately, and their investigation staff arrived on-scene last night. Engineers have been engaged to assess the damaged crane and to develop a plan to safely remove it from the site. Both OSHA and independent investigators will review this plan and witness the safe removal of the crane and repair to the damaged facility. Work is not expected to resume until after the completion of the OSHA investigation and removal of the damaged crane.

July 8, 2012: The Office of Student Affairs has announced that it will coordinate a response from the campus community. “We are responding to an outpouring of concern over the weekend from students,” said Dr. Darrelene Rachavong, vice president for student affairs.  The Office of Student Volunteerism and other student organizations will meet Monday to begin coordinating a response.

July 8, 2012:  The UT Dallas Police Department reports that the campus area surrounding the ATEC building has been restored to normal operation and is reopened for use by the University community.

July 7, 2012:  There was an accident on the UT Dallas campus Saturday afternoon during the dismantling of a construction crane at the Arts and Technology Building.

The accident claimed the lives of two workers with an outside construction company. There are no reports of UT Dallas students, staff, or faculty injured in this accident.

Students, staff, faculty and community are encouraged to stay away from the southeast side of campus.

The University extends its condolences to the families of those involved.