San Diego is bringing on the heat

Temperatures soar to the high 90s

SALENA CHACON / ASST. NEWS EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

The first week back at USD was filled with energy, excitement… and heat. The “San Diego Heat Wave” hit USD with full force as temperatures soared to the high 90s. According to the Sustainability Department, this heat wave is causing a Statewide Emergency, making it the most extreme on record in San Diego for the month of September. 

Typically, San Diego weather hovers in the 70s, which has only exacerbated the stir this heat wave caused among students. Buildings such as Maher, the Alcalá Vista (Vistas) Apartments, San Antonio De Padua (SAPS) and other residential buildings have no air conditioning, creating uncomfortable living conditions for a large number of students. For those living in these buildings, there is zero relief from the heat. 

USD sophomore Aoibheann Murphy lives on the third floor of Cuyamaca in the Vistas. Her apartment’s position directly faces the sun, leading her room to reach a high of 92 degrees.

Murphy described  her failed attempts to relieve the heat.  

“I was getting towels wet, giving them water, and putting them in the freezer. That was working for a while, but then they would just melt. Then we would put ice in front of the fan; I don’t really think that works,” Murphy said. “We have all the blinds closed, we have a blackout curtain to keep the sun out. We have all the windows open, we have fans blowing a kind of breeze around from the windows. We have two fans in each bedroom and then two in the living room, so there’s six total.”

Murphy explained how the heat pushed her and her roommate to relocate for a couple of nights, eventually deciding to spend the night in the multipurpose room of the Alcalá Vistas.

“We went in the [Palomar] lounge, and it was way nicer, and it was actually cold. We were able to get a good night’s sleep for once. And now we’re at a hotel,” Murphy said.

While other circumstances contributed to Murphy’s stay at the hotel, the heat was the primary reason.

Facilities management identified the University Center, Student Life Pavilion, Learning Commons and residence hall lounges  as “cooling areas,” these areas are not meant for students to spend the night. 

The heat led students, such as Murphy, to question why air conditioning isn’t being installed in buildings currently without it.

“I just think it’s crazy that they never had air conditioning. I know that we’re in a heat wave and these are temporary matters, but  it’s always warm at the beginning and end of the year, so this isn’t new,” Murphy said. “And I know right now it’s extremely hot, but it’s still hot for most of the year, so I’m shocked that we don’t have it.”

John Alejandro, the Director of Sustainability, addressed these concerns.

“Many of our residence halls are older buildings that did not originally have air-conditioning,” Alejandro said in an email.  “In most cases, it’s either simply not practical and/or extremely cost prohibitive to install air conditioning.”

Taking into consideration that installing air conditioning in the older residence halls would be a costly and extensive task, many students are left wondering if alternative options have been considered, such as portable air conditioning units, window air conditioning or box fans in each room. 

Although this heat wave impacts students, it also takes a toll on the environment. Dr. Yin, a climatologist and USD professor in the Department of Environmental and Ocean Sciences, pointed out that the main problem regarding this unusual increase of temperature is the stress that it puts on both us and the earth.

“Basically, for any living thing there is a heat stress – whether it is vegetation, animals or human beings. And I think that’s probably the greatest impact of all,” Dr. Yin said.

Dr. Yin also described how in such intense heat and with no water in their bodies from rainfall, plants aren’t able to evaporate or transpire. This causes great amounts of stress, and can even lead to plant failure. Similar to plants, it is crucial that students understand that the heat can damage their health. 

Students are urged to take these precautions, which includes those listed by the Student Affairs and echoed by Facilities Management in an email. 

“Open windows in rooms and use sash locks on windows for nighttime security, close the shades, use fans to help circulate air and try not to use an oven for cooking,” Facilities Management said. “Also look for opportunities to study in air-conditioned buildings, take breaks in cool zones whenever possible, drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.” 

Most importantly, students should visit the USD Health Center if experiencing potential signs of a heat-related illness, which – according to an email sent by Residential Life – include extremely high body temperatures, red hot and dry skin with no sweat, rapid, strong pulse, dizziness, confusion or unconsciousness. 

This spike in temperatures spurred concern among students with older heating and cooling systems, causing worry for the upcoming, cooler fall weather.