Power Outage Strands Students in Social Sciences Elevator

By Alex Del Cueto

A widespread power outage swept across campus at 3:49 p.m. on April 2, leaving two students trapped in an elevator for over two hours. Most of the campus was also left without electricity for nearly ten hours.

Buildings switched to emergency generators that provided limited lighting. Newer buildings had more reliable backup power, while electrical outlets and essential systems like elevators in older facilities remained unusable.

The top of the stuck elevator in the elevator shaft. (Photo by Alex Del Cueto)

Students Brooklynn John and Andrew Thesis were riding the elevator in the Social Sciences building to go to the Design and Tech Scene Lab when the power failed. The elevator stopped between the first and second floors, trapping them inside.

Thesis pressed the help button in the elevator when it stopped, and they responded quickly. This was the only elevator on campus where students were reported stuck during the outage. 

A UPD officer standing by the elevator of Social Sciences in case an emergency occurs. (Photo by Alex Del Cueto)

“My first thoughts were, oh this is so silly, I’ve never been stuck in an elevator before,” said Thesis. “I wonder if it’s gonna be cool and the fire department is gonna have to break us out.”

University Police Department (UPD) officers responded quickly but were limited in what they could do. While they waited for help, classmates gathered outside the elevator and spoke to John and Thesis through the doors to keep them calm.

“Elevators are fundamentally really simple machines,” said Eliam Artman, who is a friend of the students in the elevator. “It’s just a latch, once the latch is open the door will open, so I'm not worried.”

John and Thesis remained calm the entire time they were stuck in the elevator. They both still had their phones and were able to pass the time.

“We watched TikTok for a while,” said John. “When it became clear it would be awhile, we got comfortable and watched The Great British Baking Show.”

Facilities was contacted, and at 5:14 p.m., Collis Johnson, the assistant director of mechanical systems, arrived.

Students and faculty assisted Johnson by holding the elevator door open and bringing him tools. Johnson attempted to free the students but could not due to the elevator’s position between floors.

“We do have a key to get into the elevator,” said Johnson. “But in the instance they are in between floors and we had to reach out to our emergency contact and Schindler.”

Collis Johnson reached down the elevator shaft while students watched to see if their friends would be let out. (Photo by Alex Del Cueto)

Specialized assistance was required from Schindler Elevator & Escalators. John and Thesis were finally released from the elevator at 5:55 p.m.

When they arrived on the second floor they were greeted with over 20 people clapping for their return. The first thing they did after getting to the second floor was attending their 6 p.m. class they had.

A Purchase College alert was emailed to the campus community at approximately 6:07 p.m., stating, “Due to the unknown length of the power outage, all evening classes and activities are cancelled effective immediately.”

The outage was caused by an off-campus incident and was handled by Con Edison. Power was fully restored to campus at 1:19 a.m. the next morning.