NC State chancellor promises better communication about ongoing Poe Hall toxin investigation
North Carolina State University Chancellor Randy Woodson posted a video statement Tuesday to the university's "Poe Hall Updates," months after the academic building was closed to students and staff.
In October 2023, cancer-causing chemicals called PCBs were found during testing in the building, which was home to NC State's College of Education and Department of Psychology.
In November, the building was closed for further environmental testing. The first round of results, released on Feb. 8, 2024, found just one instance of PCBs above acceptable levels in 81 samples. Dr. David Carpenter, a professor at the State University of New York at Albany whose work focuses on the study of environmental causes of human disease, told WRAL News that the fact that Poe Hall's HVAC system has been off since November distorts the view of what's going on.
Woodson, who has come under attack for a lack of communication about the problem, said in his video message that his team was "exploring ways to improve our lines of communication."
On Feb. 12, 2024, the College Coordinating Committee for North Carolina State University's College of Education issued a vote of no confidence in Woodson, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Warwick Arden and Dean of the College of Education Paola Sztajn for their handling on the situation.
Referencing Woodson, the committee wrote, "Due to his mismanagement of the Poe Hall PCB contamination and cancer cluster issue, the faculty of the College of Education at North Carolina State University no longer have confidence in the leadership of Chancellor Woodson.”
(The vote is largely symbolic since faculty do not have the authority to remove university leaders from office.)
Woodson also addressed the more than 100 people who have reported a cancer diagnosis after having studied or worked in Poe Hall.
"To those of you who have health concerns, please know that we hear you, and we see you, and I'm committed to keeping your informed of our progress," he said.
NC State has contracted with Geosyntec Consultants to do an environmental assessment of the building. The next phase of testing is expected to begin in March, but according to the university, "analysis and reporting could take months."
The building will remain closed through at least Dec. 31, 2024. Classes and offices have been relocated.
