Students Fume over Heat During Finals
As the University of Oregon's finals week heats up, so does the frustration of students seeking solace in the Knight Library. Ahead of a "renovation" this summer, many students find themselves sweating through their study sessions due to uncomfortably warm temperatures.
The anticipation of a revamped library comes as little consolation to students battling the sweltering conditions. In a recent poll of over 70 students, a staggering 61 reported feeling uncomfortably warm in the library this week. While the temperature may seem trivial, its impact on productivity cannot be overstated, especially during finals.
Research conducted by Penn State University in 2016 sheds light on the significance of room temperature on academic performance. The study revealed that students in warmer rooms, averaging 81 degrees Fahrenheit, performed significantly poorer on tests than their counterparts in cooler environments. Those in rooms maintained at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit were likelier to achieve higher scores, highlighting the importance of comfortable temperatures for optimal learning conditions.
Furthermore, Education Week's findings emphasize heat's detrimental effects on learning. Heat makes it harder for students to concentrate and impedes their ability to absorb information effectively. An analysis by the National Bureau of Economic Research further supports these claims, suggesting that excessively hot classrooms can hinder students' learning abilities and have long-term consequences for their academic success. Specifically, “Without air conditioning, each 1°F increase in school year temperature reduces the amount learned that year by one percent.”
As students grapple with the challenges of finals week, the discomfort caused by the overheated library adds another layer of stress to an already demanding time. While the promise of a renovated library is encouraging, students emphasize the need for immediate action to address the current temperature issues. Students frustrated with the temperature seem to have limited options: they can submit work tickets to the library facilities department, which investigates each complaint of temperature regulation in individual study rooms. It is unclear at this time if any tickets have been or will be made about the temperature of larger study areas in the library. Ensuring a conducive learning environment is essential for fostering academic success and supporting students' well-being during this critical period. For now, we can only hope that the new library has better air conditioning.