It's Feeling Like Winter In Higgins!
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			As the temperature drops, snow begins to fall, all around campus, students are bundling up in their sweaters and curling up with their blankets only to throw them off half way through the night because of the uncontrolled heat. For Higgins Hall residents, snuggling up in blankets and sweatshirts seem to be their only source of reliable heat. There have been a number of complaints documented about the heat (lack thereof) and residents are becoming disgusted with the way these concerns are addressed. Many feel that they are not being heard since nothing has come of the complaints. “It is always so cold in our rooms,” said a Higgins Hall resident. “We’re paying so much to live here; we should not even be complaining about something as simple as heat and being warm. We should have a little more control of our own heat.” The heating system is controlled by a central thermostat. Once the temperature of the room drops below 70°F, the heat kicks on. There have been instances of some apartments “icing” their thermostats. This drops the temperature from around 74°F to 42°F in a matter of ten minutes, causing the heating valves to blow open. While the danger aspect of this is unknown, if discovered, the apartments icing the thermostats will lead to Judicial Sanctioning. It is considered tampering with college property. Higgins Hall residents are used to the other residence buildings that are older, being a consistent 80°F in their rooms. It is a drastic change to go from a different type of heating system to a controlled heating environment. The older buildings have “wild” heating. This system is regulated depending on the outside temperature. Here are some suggestions to maximize your heat and to stay warm during the cold season: • If no one is in the common room, close the vents to allow heat to disperse to the bedrooms. • Keep papers, clothes, blankets & comforters, random stuffed animals away, etc, away from the vents to ensure fire safety and let the heat exit the vents. • Don’t open windows thinking that the heating process will go any faster. The heat may initially be triggered to go off, but it will only counteract the coldness that was let in by the open window. • Put curtains on windows in the bedrooms to minimize any draft that may come through the windows.   Being that it is a new building, it is expected that there will be some kinks that need to be worked out throughout the year. The Higgins Hall staff appreciates the patience of the residents and asks that any heating problems be reported to the maintenance staff, your respective resident advisor or resident director, Ray Savage.