13 March, 2012 To whom it may concern within the Offices of Student Housing, A recent email addressed to residents of East Campus (LXR and Nevils buildings) informed students that access to air conditioning will not be available until early May, and that heat will remain on in these buildings during this period. With Spring now upon us, the District of Columbia will be soon be facing some of the warmest temperatures in recent memory, and certainly the warmest temperatures of the academic year. Estimates for this week and the following week report a possibility of temperatures in the mid-80's, and we can expect similar - if not warmer - conditions for the remainder of March and the entirety of April. Since October, residents of East Campus have cooperatively and consistently lived with faulty air conditioning, only in supplement to the numerous other infrastructure complications; indeed, students have done their best to work with housing and have patiently requested help from facilities for periodic maintenance, from air conditioners to elevators and everything in between. However, lack of access to air conditioning without further resolution or accommodation is not an option. In the aforementioned email, the Offices of Student Housing bargained that they "recognize this can be uncomfortable for periods of time." Quite unfortunately, this does not accurately elucidate the conditions that students will face. In reality, lack of air conditioning for the remainder of the semester will create conditions that can only be deemed unlivable. Sweltering heat will suffocate an overwhelming majority of residents, and even those with access to patio space will suffer. Others will face even harsher conditions, as windows in many rooms have been bolted shut by housing operations. Students living on the ground floor of LXR could face the worst living situation, as the "Mechanical Room" on that floor creates excruciatingly hot temperatures even with air conditioning or window access. As I am sure you are aware, resident of LXR pay approximately $4500/semester for housing, and residents of Nevils pay fees approaching $5000/semester. This fee implies that students will be provided with livable conditions. Whether or not the rest of the semester will be livable is not a subjective matter. I therefore wish to convince you that accommodation is not just a request, but rather an obligation of the Offices of Student Housing, and must be addressed immediately. The possible mechanisms of this accommodation are numerous and diverse in nature. More specifically, one student proposed that large fans, purchased by your office, could be distributed as a possible resolution, though only time could tell if this will efficiently counter the overwhelming heat in the coming months. Others have demanded room changes or other location changes. I would be happy to discuss the details of possible solutions in person. On behalf of all East Campus residents, I respectfully but firmly require that this issue be addressed immediately. Below, you will find the signatures of East Campus residents and others who demand accommodation with great haste. Sincerely, David H. Schaffer Georgetown University, '14 LXR 323 [email protected]