Find your building or tower below to learn how heating and cooling functions in your space and how you may be able to affect the temperature in your room and/or suite/apartment.
Availability of Cool Air
Cooling is generally only available from May to October*, regardless of building, but varies annually based on weather trends and maintenance requirements. When the season changes from spring to summer, there may be intermittent days when the weather becomes “unseasonably” warm. While these few days may be inconvenient, Facilities Staff need to adhere to maintenance schedules and may not be able to adjust. Please be patient and utilize personal fans to stay cool. If heat becomes excessive and/or weather trends change quickly, Facilities will address the situation as soon as possible to make your environment comfortable. Submitting work orders will only cause delays.
Cooling systems will not work if the outside air temperature is below 60 degrees. So, in early spring and late fall, cooling systems may only run for a few hours during the day due to cold temps at night.
Sandburg North, South and West Towers
In these three towers of Sandburg Hall, there are no thermostats allowing self-regulation of temperatures inside suites or rooms. Resident room temperatures are set by Facilities Staff at an average 68 degrees Fahrenheit. All of Sandburg relies on campus’ Physical Plant for heat, which is readily available year-round. Although residents in North, South and West Towers are not able to self-regulate room temperature, they can request an adjustment to the heat in their SUITES in either direction, higher or lower.
NOTE: A temperature change will affect ALL rooms in a suite (and possibly neighboring suites); so, at the very least, check with your suitemates before requesting an adjustment.
These towers are not considered air-conditioned. Instead, North South and West Towers have chilled air pumped into common area lounges on every other floor. See tips below on how to cool down your space.
Temperature Regulation Tips
If you leave your window open for an extended period of time, you will not be able to recover heat in the room quickly. Plan on a one-day delay to bring the room up to its regular temperature.
NOTE: Opening your window once outside temperatures fall below 50 degrees is HIGHLY DISCOURAGED as this may cause indoor pipes to freeze. If a pipe bursts due to your window being left open, you will incur damage fees.
Clear an air circulation path. Keep furniture clear of registers and windows.
Keep shades closed to provide insulation, reducing heat loss during cold seasons or preventing the entrance of excess solar heat in the warmer months.
When you are present, prop your suite door open and use a fan to draw chilled air from your house’s lounge into your suite.
If living on a floor above tree line, you may be able to harness the breeze coming off Lake Michigan by opening multiple windows in your space creating a wind current through your suite.
When To Submit A Work Order
You are feeling a draft – FIRST, make sure all windows are closed and latched. Windows are checked for proper weather-stripping insulation. So, if a draft develops, notify maintenance by placing a work order.
Heat in your room is too high or too low – You may also submit a work order to request an adjustment to the amount of heat being supplied to your room. However, a temperature change will affect ALL rooms in a suite (and possibly neighboring suites); so, at the very least, check with your suitemates before requesting an adjustment.
Cambridge, Kenilworth, RiverView and Sandburg East Tower
Within residential spaces in East Tower and our other three buildings, residents can self-regulate temperature using the thermostat inside their room or suite/apartment. Temperatures can be raised or lowered within a certain range; however, air-conditioning is only available when building chillers are operational*.
*All chillers are emptied in October to avoid freezing over the winter months.