Heat in the Residence Halls

The weather has begun to turn cold and the heating systems in all college-owned residential buildings have been activated.

The heating system (boiler) in your building is set to automatic operation and will turn on to provide heat whenever the outside air temperature falls below 55 degrees.  During the heating season mandated by NYC (Oct – Apr), we try to maintain interior room temperatures in a range of 68-70 degrees.

In buildings with air conditioning (Sulzberger & Tower, Plimpton, Elliott, and Cathedral Gardens), AC is no longer available when the building is in the heating mode.

Please follow these helpful hints to help conserve heat:

• Close all windows to prevent drafts and heat loss. If you are having trouble closing a window or if you feel air entering around a window, please submit a Work Order (on My.Barnard.Edu) or contact the Facilities Office.
  
• Keep radiators clear of furniture, bedding, and clothing to allow unrestricted air flow around your radiator. This helps keep warm air circulating and distributes heat throughout the room.
  
• If your room feels cold or a radiator appears not to be working properly, please contact the Facilities Office at 854-2041 (8am-5pm).  After 5pm and on weekends, please call 854-3362 (Public Safety) to report a cold complaint.  A Facilities mechanic will be dispatched to check and address the problem(s).
  
• If you live at 601 W 110th St and your room feels cold or a radiator appears not to be working properly, please contact the 110th St Front Desk or dial 0 on your intercom (facilities concerns are handled by 110th St personnel).

Thanks, Dan Davis (Director of Barnard Facilities Services)

Reporting of Heat Problems

Please be aware that students DO NOT have to wait until Facilities Services processes work orders that are related to heat complaints. If a heating issue continues, please call for quicker service (see below).

The heat is on and set to operate automatically. As outside temperatures drop, the boiler reacts in kind and heats the building. Facilities will have HVAC Mechanic check radiators to ensure they are working properly over the winter break.

Should your room be inordinately cold and you suspect your heating unit is not fully functional, please phone in your temperature concerns to Facilities Services (212) 854-2041 and after hours to the Security Dispatcher (212) 854-3362. An HVAC Mechanic will be dispatched to your room immediately, day or night. they will also check to ensure all windows are closed tightly to prevent cold air infiltration.

Tips: Do not block radiators with furniture. Keep windows securely closed. Never use a space heater. The buildings have heat sensors detecting temperatures; space heaters fool those sensors indicating the heat in the building is satisfactory. If you or someone you know has a space heater, the building may be much colder due to its use.