Yuni Kim
News Editor
The new information desk occupying the centre of Vari Hall has forced the closure of the iconic York University building’s front entrance. It will be sealed shut to protect info desk employees, but not for long.
Janice Walls of York media relations confirmed the info desk in Vari Hall closes if the temperature drops below 18 degrees Celsius and that for the time being, the front entrance has been roped off as a temporary measure.
“We learned that it’s a requirement of the Occupational Health and Safety Act,” said Walls. “We have a minimum working temperature for employees, and of course, the people working in the info desk would be employees.”
Walls noted the front doors – which are not designated university fire exits – were roped off to maintain a steady indoor temperature, and confirmed that a permanent solution is in the works.
“When the outdoor temperature rises to a level that won’t cause the temperature indoors to drop below 18, they’ll reopen the doors,” she said. “York Campus Services and Business Operations will be developing something more permanent in time for next winter,” she added, though the initiative was very early in its process.
When one door closes…
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