The HVAC system at Sam Houston State University is experiencing issues in several buildings across campus, causing occupants to struggle with their activities. Buildings such as the Newton-Gresham Library, Lee Drain, University Theatre Center, College of Education and College of Humanities and Social Sciences have noted increasing temperatures.
Tuesday morning, the SHSU Department of Facilities Management sent out an email reporting that the chiller loop system, which circulates coolant, has been experiencing malfunctions. With temperatures expected to reach 91 degrees on Tuesday, Huntsville could experience a record high. The previous high temperature for April 28 is 90 degrees, according to data from the National Weather Service.
The Department of Facilities Management noted in its message that its team “is actively working on the issue, and some improvement is expected by [Wednesday].”
Graduate assistant Emilio Farias, who works for the College of Education, used the materials around him to set up a mini fan.
“I’m sitting next to a computer that creates heat, and I have a long day ahead of me with no AC in this building, so I’m doing my best to keep cool under these circumstances,” Farias said.
Senior Lauren Teel, lead writing tutor and embedded tutor at the Academic Student Center, noted the struggle she has experienced when at work.
“Keeping my cool when it’s been the exact opposite of cool has been a bit hard,” Teel said. “I’ve been with the center for five years, and I can’t say that I’ve run into this [issue] many times, but I feel like this semester we’ve been seeing more just all over campus, rather than just the library.”
Students in the library have noticed the change, with many expressing uncertainty about the situation. Freshman Milana Racelis mentioned the impact the malfunction has had on her.
“I just really don’t like being hot, and I come inside to change that,” Racelis said. “I’m in the library the most often, so if the library is hot, I’m like ‘I can’t be happy anywhere.’”
The Houstonian has reached out to SHSU’s Facilities Management department for additional details. We will provide updates on this developing situation as they become available.
