Safety Problems Close Arkansas Tech Facility

Arkansas Tech University officials say they’re trying to find a different location for theater students to continue their academic work after a Russellville Fire Department inspection found unsafe conditions at the school’s theatre workshop.

Officials said in a statement Tuesday that the workshop in the Techionery was closed Sept. 15 following the review, which found obstructed emergency exits; unsafe storage of combustible materials and stage construction that doesn’t meet standard engineering practices.

John W. Watson is vice president for academic affairs. Watson says it’s regrettable that the condition of the Techionery theatre workshop deteriorated to the point that it had to be closed.

Officials say the theatre program will be reviewed. There are currently 30 theatre majors at Arkansas Tech, which has a student body of 10,464 students.