Gas Leak on the Malibu Campus – Final Update

Posted on March 6, 2026, 7:49 AM

Southern California Gas has successfully completed permanent repairs on the gas line near The Mountain construction site. As an extra precaution, Southern California Gas technicians will be visiting HOA residences this morning to ensure gas is functioning appropriately. They will check gas meters and then knock on doors if any readings are abnormal. 

Benton Way and John Tyler Drive are now open, and traffic patterns have returned to normal.

Breakfast will be provided at no cost to residential students, staff, and faculty in Waves Cafe from 7:30 – 10:30 AM.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we worked closely with the fire department and utility crews to resolve this situation as quickly and safely as possible.

Gas Leak on the Malibu Campus – Update #4

Posted on March 5, 2026, 9:57 PM

SoCalGas’s attempted alternative solution has been successful. Gas service is expected to continue uninterrupted for the entire Malibu campus while SoCalGas continues permanent repairs.

Public Safety and the Los Angeles County Fire Department have thoroughly evaluated the affected residential areas. Eden, Krown Alpha, and Shafer will be available for safe re-occupancy starting at 11 PM. Students may head directly to their rooms at that time.

However, Lovernich remains under evaluation and the University is working with the fire department to safely reoccupy this building as soon as feasible. Lovernich residents will receive an update from HRL by 11 PM on whether re-occupancy will be possible tonight or, if not, with plans for alternative housing for the evening. 

The Fitness Center will resume its normal operating hours tomorrow.

Traffic on Benton Way and Huntsinger will continue to use an alternating pattern throughout the night and into tomorrow morning to provide access to and from the Drescher campus until all repair equipment can be removed. 

Breakfast will be provided at no cost to residential students, staff, and faculty in Waves Cafe tomorrow morning starting at 7:30 AM.

This will be the final planned community update for this evening.

Gas Leak on the Malibu Campus – Update #3

Posted on March 5, 2026, 7:36 PM

SoCalGas is currently attempting an alternate solution to the problem, which may allow gas service to continue uninterrupted. SoCalGas will not be able to confirm if the attempted solution is successful for several hours. 

If unsuccessful, gas will need to be shut off to the areas listed below, resulting in an extended gas outage through at least mid-day Friday:

• Drescher, including HOAs, student apartments, academic buildings, and the Villa
• Tiner Court
• Baxter Drive
• George Page
• Caruso School of Law
• Towers
• Department of Facilities pad

Dining services will be available in the Waves Cafeteria for affected faculty, staff, and residential students until 8 PM tonight.

The previously evacuated buildings (Lovernich, Eden, Krown Alpha, Shafer, and the Fitness Center) need to remain unoccupied at this time. The University will update members of the Malibu campus community by 10 PM, including students who have been displaced.

Gas Leak on the Malibu Campus – Update #2

Posted on March 5, 2026, 5:53 PM

While we continue to push for faster service, SoCalGas has notified the University that gas will need to be turned off starting shortly and will remain off at least mid-day Friday. This gas shutoff will impact the following areas:

• Drescher including HOAs, student apartments, academic buildings, and the Villa
• Tiner Court
• Baxter Drive
• George Page
• Caruso School of Law
• Towers
• Department of Facilities pad

Additional updates about repair times, service restoration, and when evacuated students may be able to return to their residence halls will be shared when available.