Changing temperatures at the Exchange District Campus affecting student life

By Alyssa Etsell

The exposed ventilation system above the cafeteria in Red River College’s Exchange District Campus. / ALYSSA ETSELL

The varying temperatures in many classrooms at Red River College’s Exchange District Campus have some students taking extra measures to be comfortable.

“I wear two jackets to class,” Shae Tuomi, a Digital Media Design student, said of one of her classrooms in the Adelaide building.

Other classrooms have students wishing they wore shorts.

Alexis Brandt, a Business Administration student, said one of her classes was cancelled because the room was so hot.

“[We] got to class and the instructor said, ‘Don’t worry guys. I’m going to make this fast because you can’t work in here,’” says Brandt.

But last week she had an exam in the same room and said it was so cold she had to wear her jacket — something she does often in the school.

“It’s rare that I’ll be completely comfortable in a room,” she said.

It’s hot in some areas, and unbearably cold in others — so what’s going on?

EDC plays host to roughly 5,000 staff and students on a daily basis,” Conor Lloyd said on behalf of RRC in an email Wednesday. “It’s very common at large institutions like Red River College that some people may find the spaces too warm or too cold.”

Lloyd said the college works hard to make sure that room temperatures are comfortable for all staff and students.

The college takes complaints and concerns about room temperatures seriously, he said.

We investigate them immediately,” he said. “[We] determine if the room temperature issue is related to the mechanical system or the sensors that help ensure for a consistent temperature in the classroom.”

Lloyd said if something ends up being an issue, it gets addressed quickly.

You can voice a concern or report a temperature issue by getting in contact with Red River College’s administration.