News > December 6, 2007

By Chantel O'Neal | Staff writer

The university, though pristine and majestic in all its glory, has a deep, dark secret, literally.

Below the topsoil you will discover an underworld all its own. This world beneath the surface is an underground network of concrete tunnels that connect many of the buildings on campus.

Built as part of the original campus structure in 1954, the tunnels stretch for a mile and a half across the university.

Students may be able to experience this mile and a half of underground mystery later this year if the university decides to open up a safe portion of the tunnels to students for several hours of exploration.

“There has been casual discussion about reopening a safe portion of the tunnels, but there are no official plans,” Draughn said. “If this does occur, it will most likely be for a very short period of time. We’re talking hours - not days, weeks or months.”

This would allow curious students to see the tunnels safely, before they are more securely locked.

They were initially designed as a means of steam distribution. The steam, transported all around the campus, was used as the primary method for heating and cooling the buildings.

Since that time, the tunnels have been updated. “Now most of the communication cabling, including fiber optics and cable television, goes through the tunnels,” said Mike Draughn, associate director of facilities management. “

They have also added piping for compressed air and chilled water.”

The main tunnel system, known as the service tunnel, has always been officially closed to students.

There are, however, two other tunnels that were intended for students to use. These tunnels are found between Babcock and Luter residence halls, as well as Johnson and Bostwick residence halls.

“The tunnels housed a lot of the drink and snack machines. After a night out, students could go down to the tunnels to get a snack, hang out and chit-chat with friends,” Susan Bailey, ’77, said.

“If there was some other tunnel system, we didn’t know about it.”

These tunnels were closed off in the mid 90s when chilled water and high voltage electricity was added to campus.

Over the years, the tunnels have captivated generations of university students.

“What we have found are signs of alcoholic beverages, graffiti, vandalism and even theft.”

According to university officials, students who want to know what lies beneath should reconsider plans to venture into the tunnels. Not only is there a possibility of disciplinary action, but there is also a myriad of safety hazards.

“We have not had a tunneling case since sometime in the early 90s,” said Harold Holmes, associate vice president and dean of student services.

“The possible charge depends on the circumstances in a particular case, but ‘unauthorized activity’ and ‘unauthorized entry or occupation’ would be the likely initial considerations.”

According to the Student Handbook, most of the penalties are determined case-by-case. However, it is likely that a student will receive a fine as well as other sanctions. Safety has always been a concern when dealing with the tunnels.

There are a number of ways that students, and even trained workers, could potentially be injured. Draughn listed problems that varied from a lack of oxygen to 15-foot vertical drops.

The tunnels are also dangerous because they contain and transport steam, which makes the temperature approximately 90 degrees or hotter.

Some of the steam is up to 327 degrees.

If released, this steam would not only cause severe burns but could also result in death.

According to Draughn, workers have trained and practiced for rescue missions in the tunnels, though they have never had to put their training into action.

“OSHA has a confined space entry program, which basically says that you can’t go into any space that is confined without following a number of specific guidelines, including a safety response team, attendants, a permit and the list goes on,” Draughn said.

“It involves six to 10 people to do anything in the tunnels legally, so it is quite an ordeal.”

More recently, other reasons for securing the tunnels have come up.

Last year, a theft occurred in the Z. Smith Reynolds Library. After the police investigated, they found that the point of entry was through the tunnel system.

In response, the police and administration asked Facilities Management to ensure that all of the tunnels were locked properly.

“We have wanted to secure the tunnels because of the safety aspect,” Draughn said. “Now that this has become a security issue as well, it seems to have gained more momentum across the campus.”

This process began this past summer.

It has taken a great deal of time to execute, because the tunnel system is so extensive.

There are over 30 different entry points that range from manholes to locked doors.

“The tunnels have always been somewhat locked,” Draughn said.

“However, we are finding that they are not locked well enough, because most entrance is gained through locked doors.”

“Students are very creative at finding ways to get in.”

There are three main reasons for updating the security of the tunnels.

The first is simple; it is against the law for the university to allow students in the tunnels.

The second reason is that it will help with overall security.

“We have to think about, not just the students, but someone else gaining access to the tunnels.

They basically have a network to any point on campus,” Draughn said.

“If they knew what they were doing, they would be able to wreak havoc. It really is a major security issue.”

The third reason, Draughn described as his biggest fear.

According to Draughn, all of the tunnels are inspected only twice a year.

If a student did enter the tunnels and was injured or inebriated, he or she may not be found for months.

Because the security is being updated, a new rumor is being spread throughout the campus that part of the tunnels may be briefly unlocked for students.

“The tunnels are a part of the mystique of campus,” Draughn said.

“Mystery is always exciting for the students, but I don’t think that they have a full appreciation of just how dangerous the tunnels have become.”