PSA: Before you continue reading, know that I am absolutely, positively, not complaining. 

As a resident of Barnard’s Sulzberger Hall, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my dorm room, particularly during those sweltering late August, September, and early October days. The cool embrace of AC in Sulz provided a welcome respite from the swampy heat. For those that don’t know, Barnard has four dorm buildings—Sulzberger, Hewitt, Brooks, and Reid—all of which are interconnected to form what we fondly call “The Quad.” While each of these buildings has its own unique charm, when it comes to climate control, Sulz prevails.

Amidst a New York City heat wave, students from other dorms would often come to Sulz to seek refuge from the high temperatures. Floors became makeshift sleeping areas, and lounges turned into bedrooms. And yet, as the calendar has turned, so too has beloved Sulz. The inevitable transition from cooling to heating has occurred, and while we can turn it off, the rooms are not what they once were. The chilled breeze I once looked forward to when I opened the door of my room, has been replaced by the warmth that tends to sneak in for some of those early autumn days. Sulz residents find themselves in a peculiar situation: feeling grateful for the comfort we had but witnessing a shift that has brought challenges we hadn’t anticipated.

So, maybe it’s irony, karma, or the act of paying it back? It’s difficult to say. I remain deeply grateful for the comfort I enjoyed, and again, I am definitely not complaining. A small inconvenience simply leads to deeper appreciation for what we have.

Radiator via Bwarchives