As the town of Wayne, Nebraska, faced a relentless four-day heat advisory in late August, most students at Wayne State College enjoyed the comfort of air-conditioned dorms.
However, approximately 33% of students residing in two non-air-conditioned dormitories faced a different reality.
With no electrical infrastructure for portable air conditioners, they improvised by using fans and ice to cool their rooms, even resorting to sleeping in air-conditioned common areas alongside fellow students.
Heat stricken students
This situation sheds light on a broader issue affecting numerous colleges and universities, including prestigious institutions such as the University of Wisconsin, the University of Maryland, Boston University, Yale, and Cornell, all of which have a significant number of non-air-conditioned dorm rooms.
Retrofitting older dorms with air conditioning is expensive, but climate change, leading to hotter and longer summers, is rendering this argument obsolete.
Recent data indicates that air conditioning is no longer a luxury but a necessity, particularly given the adverse health effects of extreme heat.
However, many colleges are facing challenges in financing comprehensive air-conditioning solutions for all dorm rooms, and innovative, cost-effective approaches are being sought.
Despite the obstacles, colleges are increasingly committed to providing air-conditioning for all students, recognizing its importance in ensuring a safe and comfortable living environment.
