Updates and Next Steps for Poe Hall

Good afternoon, NC State community,

We recently shared the first phase of environmental testing results for Poe Hall, as well as recommendations from our consultants for the next phase of testing. I know many in our community — including me — are eager for more information on the building, and I want to provide some insight around our expectations on timing for next steps.

Next Phase of Testing

We anticipate the next phase of testing will begin in early March. This timing allows work currently underway in the building to be completed before we turn on the heating, air and ventilation system for the next phase of testing. As shared previously, this work takes time. This next phase of testing, analysis and reporting could take months.

When the next phase is completed, we expect another report with results and analysis and will provide this information to you once we receive it. Please be assured that our consultants are working as quickly as possible to get answers about the building.

We also anticipate that the building will remain closed through at least the end of 2024. We will work with former Poe occupants to safely retrieve select items that remain in the building over the next few weeks. More information will be shared with faculty and staff who previously occupied the building about the retrieval process soon.

Our Work With Outside Agencies

With the first phase of results in hand, and with the guidance of our partners at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), we reached out to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which has opened a new Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) related to Poe Hall. As we hear more from NIOSH, we will share updates with the community.

For more information about the HHE process and recommendations from N.C. DHHS for health screenings, please visit our Poe Hall Updates website. We continue to add more information from our partner agencies as it becomes available.

As I shared with the Poe Hall community last week, we remain committed to transparency in this process, and we’ll continue to update you regularly on our progress. Thank you for your partnership and patience as we move forward together.

Randy Woodson
Chancellor