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SUNY Schenectady reopened to students and staff on Thursday (April 2) after closing the previous day due to flooding that affected the rear parking lot. This marks the third time in less than a month that the college has shut down because of water collecting in its parking areas, a problem officials say is caused by a combination of rising Mohawk River levels, rain, and ongoing infrastructure issues.
According to NEWS10 ABC, the closure on Wednesday was prompted by significant flooding, which led campus administrators to modify parking for safety on reopening. The Washington Avenue entrance and sections A through D of the main lot remain closed, and visitors are now directed to enter from State Street and use the west and School of Music lots for parking.
The flooding stems from several factors. As reported by the Times Union, overwhelmed storm sewers and a city-owned pump station on Washington Avenue—currently inoperable—have played a major role. Steady Moono, president of SUNY Schenectady, wrote to city officials stating, "It is the predictable result of a longstanding infrastructure failure that has gone unaddressed for over a decade." He emphasized that the recurring issue disrupts campus operations and impacts students, faculty, and staff.
Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy acknowledged the city has a $26 million grant to repair the pump station, but no bids have been solicited yet, so there is no timeline for when repairs may begin. He also noted that construction and other factors may contribute to the backup, and the campus itself has small pumps designed only for minor downpours.
Executive Vice President of Administration and Finance at SUNY Schenectady, Patrick Ryan, explained that the Mohawk River is adjacent to campus and rising river levels can back up water into the parking lot. "Today we closed the campus out of abundance of caution and safety for the college community," he told NEWS10. The college continues to monitor river levels and has made communication with students a priority, using email, texts, robocalls, and social media.
Flooding previously forced class cancellations on March 9 and 12. The National Weather Service indicated that recent rainfall alone was not enough to cause flooding, pointing instead to snowmelt and rising river conditions.
A long-term solution may be years away as the city works to address the pump station and considers flood control improvements. In the meantime, SUNY Schenectady urges everyone to check for parking updates and campus alerts before arriving.