I write this petition as a resident of the JMW buildings, where we are subjected to unbearable heat levels at night. Living in rooms heated to over 81 degrees is not only uncomfortable but also detrimental to our health and the environment. I have personally resorted to sleeping in a hammock just to avoid waking up drenched in sweat and exhausted.

Excessive heating contributes significantly towards energy waste, which is an environmental concern. According to the U.S Department of Energy, setting your thermostat too high can lead to unnecessary energy consumption, with every degree above 78 resulting in an additional 6-8% increase on your power bill (U.S Department of Energy). This is not only environmentally irresponsible but also financially imprudent.

Furthermore, studies from Harvard Medical School suggest that cooler temperatures promote better sleep quality. They recommend a room temperature between 60-67 degrees for optimal sleep (Harvard Medical School). Therefore, maintaining temperatures above 81 degrees at night could be adversely affecting residents' health and wellbeing.

Overheating dorms create an ideal environment for mold growth. The excessive warmth and humidity promote the development and proliferation of mold spores, which can quickly infest walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. Mold not only damages university property but also jeopardizes the health of the students living in these conditions. Exposure to mold can lead to respiratory problems, allergies, skin irritations, and more.

As residents keep windows open to mitigate the heat, a bug infestation has began to take root inside the dorms. Particularly at night, bugs attracted to bright streetlights outside will find their way into rooms and be found on the floor, walls and beds of residents.

We urge Facilities Management at JMW buildings in Charlottesville, VA, USA to consider these facts and lower the nighttime heating settings. We deserve comfortable living conditions that promote good health and are environmentally responsible. Please sign this petition if you agree with us.

Additionally, this is not just a problem with JMW but also the rest of Hereford, Gooch-Dillard, Alderman Road Residences and Faulkner.