Anyone who has lived in South Cunningham Residence Hall knows that with the building's old age comes a less than perfect heating and cooling system. The office of Residential and Commuter Life (RCL) also decided that if they were to continue to use South Cunningham for residential purposes, they needed to fix the heating situation. They decided it was a better option to install individual heaters in each room rather then replacing the central heating system.
Maintenance workers completed the last bit of work to complete this task over fall break. Although the unit was Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) approved, a company that tests products for their safety, the state fire marshal did not feel comfortable with the use of the units. The units are not dangerous but are not meant for use in the residential halls.
Portable radiator heating units arrived at each room in South Cunningham at approximately 6 p.m. this past Friday. If the resident was in the room, a facilities staff member plugged the unit in the electrical outlet and demonstrated its use. If the student was not in the room, the unit was simply left in the room.
As workers finished putting portable units in the rooms, they immediately learned that although the units are safe, they are not meant for use in a room as small as the residential hall rooms. Instead, they are better for heating an apartment or home.
RCL Director and Assistant Dean of Students Larry Robertson explained that South Cunningham retains heat well, but any student who had concerns, felt discomfort from the cold or has medicinal issues were offered an alternative. Students also had an option to request to be moved to emergency temporary housing.
Robertson explained that RCL is still looking into a more permanent option for heating within the residence hall.
