Residents of Pearce Ford Tower have been without a working HVAC since Aug. 13.
Student Government Association President Rush Robinson announced to the senate on Tuesday that the A/C system in Pearce Ford Tower was out and that residents would be given the option to temporarily relocate to Hugh Poland Hall until a repair was made. Twenty-nine residents have relocated as of Tuesday night.
According to The Weather Channel, the heat index on Tuesday neared 100 degrees. On Wednesday, the high was 88 degrees with a feels-like temperature of 94 degrees.
Freshman Anna Zumbiel moved from her room in PFT to Hugh Poland Hall on Wednesday.
“I moved in early for rush. I thought because everyone was moving in, it was just hot because all the doors were open, and in a few days it would cool off,” Zumbiel said. “But it just didn’t, and I got sick because of all the humidity.”
Zumbiel also said WKU initially only gave her and her roommate fans to ease the heat.
“They got fans for us just to try to cover it up, but everyone’s fed up with it,” Zumbiel said. “It’s unacceptable.”
The email sent to PFT residents on Tuesday also stated that box fans and bottled water are available at the front desk for students to use until the issue is resolved. The same email also detailed that Housing and Residence Life staff would be going door to door checking in with residents on Tuesday afternoon. Residents of PFT have regularly received updates on the issue since Aug. 13.
In an email sent to PFT residents on Tuesday, the university encouraged students to keep blinds and curtains closed and keep HVAC units clear for better airflow, as well as leave doors open while residents are in their rooms so that hallway air can circulate.
“Box fans are available for students to pick up at the front desk,” said Catherine LaRoache, executive director of Housing and Residence Life, in an email to the Herald. “Iced bottled water is available in the lobby, and food trucks will be visiting the PFT courtyard often so students can pick up a free cold treat.”
According to an email sent by WKU Housing and Residence Life to residents of PFT, “specialty contractors” arrived on campus Tuesday morning with equipment to work toward a long-term solution to the problem.
“Students can contact their hall director or the WKU Housing & Residence Life office at (270)745-3143 for further assistance,” LaRoche said in an email.