Tackling the Temperature: Petition launched to lower heating on campus

A petition to lower the temperature of the heating on campus has reached 217 signatures since Friday November 18.

The petition, which urges students to be more conscious of the environmental impact of heating on-campus, began with the target of 200 signatures.

In a statement on the petition, its author Rosanna Harvey-Crawford said: “Attending climate change talks at Warwick and doing research has confirmed what I already felt – Warwick campus is too hot!”

The petition states that the temperature of a room does not need to be above 19 degrees. It alleges that the temperature on campus exceeds this, often resulting in students having to open windows.

It continues: “It’s a huge waste of money, but more importantly, energy. If Warwick made a conscious effort to lower the heating on campus, not only would this massively reduce the carbon footprint of the university but would also have financial benefits.”

When asked what outcome she hoped to achieve with the petition, Rosanna told the Boar that she hoped the petition would encourage the University to review its heating system.

She said: “If Warwick want to be leaders in so many different areas they should want to step up and make Warwick more concerned with sustainability and being green, especially as it’s such a ‘young’ university.

“I know lowering the heating will probably seem like a very unpopular suggestion when the weather is as grim as it is today but I’ve heard so many people complaining about how halls and library are way too hot that it would be good to see if they could do something about it!”

The petition has also had students engaging online. Stella Von Koskull, a final year English and Theatre student, highlighted the increasing importance of conserving energy on-campus since the library launched its 24/7 opening hours.

She said: “I think a lot of people can agree heating gives the Library an extremely stuffy, claustrophobic atmosphere that is far from ideal for working in.”

Students have noted varying temperatures between different buildings on campus. Natacha El Azar, a third-year Law and Business student, said: “I remember once it was so warm in the Law Hub that I started to get a headache and had to go outside for fresh air. It seems like the distribution of heat is uneven around campus.”

Alex Velizorova commented: “The Oculus for example is cold but the Library is actually super-hot”.

But not all students agree that the heating should be reduced on-campus. Leonie Engelen, a Management finalist, said: “I believe winter jackets are made for wearing outside. Having to put mine on almost every time I’m in the learning grid silent area is starting to make me think otherwise.”

Rosanna is hoping to email the Vice Chancellor, the Head of Sustainability at Warwick and the SU President on Monday 21 November regarding the results of her petition.