Loyola Hall has added protective cages around its sprinkler heads following flooding earlier this academic year caused by a sprinkler bursting after being struck by a football. The added safeguards aim to prevent similar incidents and limit future damage.

Freshman resident Devlynn King-Donough, who lives on the second floor, recalled the impact of the flooding. “Our floor actually cracked,” King-McDonough said. “Our rug even had to be thrown out. But nothing super important was destroyed.”

While the incident caused stress for residents, repairs have since been completed and many now view the situation with some perspective.

Senior RA Michael Boudrot, who’s a senior RA, said water reached his room during the flooding. “There was water that came into my room and even went under my bed,” Boudrot said, noting that he was able to move some belongings before they were damaged.

Boudrot said the new sprinkler cages are a step in the right direction. “I don’t think we’re completely safe, but I think the school’s definitely taking precautions in terms of making sure this building doesn’t have another football thrown and hit a sprinkler with the cages.”

The added protection marks Loyola’s latest effort to prevent another flooding incident and improve safety within the residence hall.