Cots were set up the Malkin Athletic Center for students during the power outage.

UPDATE APPENDED

What started as an electrical problem turned into an overnight issue on Saturday for a group of upperclassman and the entire class of 2012.

At around 8:20 p.m., a power surge in Harvard Yard led to an electrical overload in the Adams House C entry high tension room. The surge created an electrical fire in the Adams basement and disrupted power for both Adams and all freshman dorms, according to Adams House Master John G. "Sean" Palfrey '67, who was in touch with electricians and firemen arriving at the scene in the pouring rain.

First entryway meetings for all freshmen were abruptly thrown into darkness. "We freaked out for two seconds, then everyone took out their cell phone," said Enrique Nava '12.

Though the electrical fire was quickly subdued, the power remained off, creating problems with power-related services like ID-card swiping, the emergency blue light system, and emergency alarms. Students were asked to leave the dorms for the night.

Around 9 p.m., Adams house residents were told by e-mail and word-of-mouth to exit the building immediately, and to go either spend the night in a friend's room or in suites that unaffected Quincy House had opened for blackout refugees.

But it took the University longer to alert the freshman class—which was spread out at proctor meetings, in dark dorms, parents' hotel rooms, and elsewhere in Harvard Square—that they'd have to spend the night elsewhere.

The message to evacuate Yard buildings traveled quickly, and word spread that freshmen should gather for a meeting in the Science Center. But it wasn't until 12:20 a.m. that Dean of the College Evelynn M. Hammonds told freshmen that cots were set up the Malkin Athletic Center for those who needed it, and that the Science Center could act as a makeshift shelter for "as few of you as possible."

"We're working on back-up plans. There are weather challenges coming soon," she said. "It's not going to get better."

Leaders from FIP and FUP also arrived to help as 2012ers trickled through the Science Center doors. "It's like a hurricane. It's like New Orleans," said a passing freshman.

University President Drew G. Faust, Assistant Dean of the College John L. Ellison, and other administrators stood outside discussing what to do.

"Nobody was hurt," Ellison said. But he added that "there's no way we can know" how many freshmen were informed and directed to a place to stay, and how many were lost.

"It doesn't seem like there's a lot of information going on. It's an interesting way to begin," said Alex P. Raymond '12, who couldn't re-enter his dorm to lock his room before being directed to the science center. "I kind of wish I was still in FOP."

However, many freshmen in the science center—snacking on free food from the Greenhouse Cafe—said they were using the time together as a social opportunity. Anticipating a wait of "hours," many students sat in small circles playing poker, bananagrams, and Jenga. "A lot of games being played, a lot of friends being made," said Brooks Lambert-Sluder, program manager of the Peer Advising Fellows Program.

"It's a circumstance everyone seems to be okay with. There's a lot of good humor, and I'm sure the problem will be solved soon," Faust said in an interview.

Faust remained at the scene as freshmen headed out for the night, chatting with them as late as 1:30 a.m. At 12:53, Hammonds told the remaining freshmen to stay put pending a "major announcement," and at 1:33—as Hammonds was about to make that announcement—the power went back on.

"Problem solved!" Faust proclaimed—just as the power turned back off.

—Staff writer Vidya B. Viswanathan can be reached at viswanat@fas.harvard.edu.

UPDATE (2:38 a.m.): Adams House HoCo Co-Chair Omar Abdelsamad '09 issued an e-mail to all House residents, saying that power is back on in Adams and students are cleared to return.  Power is also back on in Pennypacker; the status of other freshman dorms has yet to be confirmed.

UPDATE (2:42 a.m.): Lambert-Sluder has issued an e-mail to all Peer Advising Fellows, stating that power is back on in all Yard dorms.