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Monday, April 20, 2009

Classroom Heating and Cooling

Classrooms on the Twin Cities campus may experience fluctuations in their
normal temperature range throughout the year, especially during
seasonal weather transition periods. The Office of Classroom Management
and Facilities Management are committed to providing the best possible
teaching and learning environment for University faculty and students.



The following is a note from Facilities Management regarding the transition from heating to cooling in campus buildings.



Dear FM Customers:

As we move into the warmer seasons of spring and summer, we would like
to take a moment to explain Facilities Management's role in the
transition from building heating to building cooling systems.



In most homes, the process of switching from heating to cooling is
often as simple as flipping a switch. On campus, the process is more
complex and requires much more time. The process, which includes
filling cooling towers with water, varies slightly in each of the 250
campus buildings we serve. Because freezing temperatures would cause
complications to the switching process, the water must be added only
when temperatures are consistently above freezing.



While Facilities Management typically completes the switch by the end
of April, some areas on campus need to be handled differently and can
experience changes in temperature both earlier and later than this
projected time.



Please be aware that until this transition takes place, we have limited
options for bringing cold air to many of our buildings. As the outside
temperatures reach over 60 degrees, we anticipate that some areas may
experience uncomfortable temperatures. Please be patient with us if
your building or space becomes too warm because of outside
temperatures.



Thank you for your patience and understanding.