By Cassandra Paradise-Mull / Staff writer

It’s finally warming up outside, but the temperature inside Powers Hall can’t seem to make up its mind.

While most of the buzz in the hallways of Powers Hall is the temperature, maintenance says they have had very few complaints.

“It’s a very complicated heating and cooling system,” said Joe Olczak, director of plant maintenance. “This system was designed to save energy, and while it may not be perfect, it is cost- and energy- efficient.”

Temperature can be such a touchy subject and while some may find it too cold, others may be complaining that it’s too hot. There is just no way to please everyone all of the time.

However, maintenance workers do their best to accommodate any time they can.

“If we get a complaint from Powers or the Faculty Office Building, we always respond,” said Olczak. “The biggest problem is when we adjust the temperature, either warmer or colder, we normally receive a call five minutes later requesting another change from someone else.”

If people are cold in the rooms in Powers Hall, it could be one of a couple reasons. One of the main reasons for the chill can be attributed to the system itself, which brings in cold air from outside to cool down the rooms.

The thermostats are often on the wall closest to the hallways, which is usually a warm spot. That can cause it not to read the actual temperature in the room and therefore will not regulate as it should. If the thermostat on the warm wall is reading a warmer temperature than what the room actually is, it will pull cold air in and put a chill in the room.

Another reason for the chill is that half of the building is protected from the elements thanks to the FOB, while the other side is not.

Powers Hall, like most of the other buildings on campus, runs on electric heat and is regulated by heating and cooling systems located on the top of the building. Thermostats were locked down a few years ago to prevent students and faculty from adjusting them themselves, which was becoming an increasing problem.

Smith Hall is the only building on campus that runs on gas heat and has individual thermostats that can be adjusted manually.

“There was a gas shortage in the ’60s and so people were required to use electric,” said Olczak. “These new electric systems, when operating correctly, really are very good and save energy and money.”

The reactions from students are mixed. Some are saying too cold while others are saying too hot.

“I always think it’s hot,” said Haley Covol, a junior psychology/criminal justice major. “I run around campus so much that by the time I sit down I’m hot.”

“It’s cold,” said Julie Loffredo, a senior psychology major. “But it’s not distracting enough for me not to pay attention or any thing like that.”

Faculty members also have an opinion, especially since most of the temperature complaints are coming from FOB, says Olczak.

“I am insensitive to temperature, so I’m never really bothered,” said Diane Marsh, professor of psychology. “It has been a topic of discussion in the FOB building, but I can’t think of one time when maintenance hasn’t responded to alleviate the problem.”

“I tend to prefer the classrooms being a little cooler,” said Elisa Boshero-Bondar, professor of English. “I think it makes the students more alert although many of them like to disagree with me on that issue.”