cartoon by Janara Jacosalem
In the scorching heat of the academic battlefield, where sweat-soaked students and educators desperately sought relief, the MSU-IITians’ quest to have conducive learning environments has become nothing short of a battle cry. The stakes are high as the fate of academic excellence hangs in the balance. Will the institution rise to the challenge and restore the cool comfort of learning, or will it succumb to the relentless heat? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: MSU-IIT's struggle for climate control will be etched into the annals of educational history as a sensational saga of determination and resilience.
Since the commencement of the dry season, announced by PAGASA on March 23, 2024, MSU-IITians have faced Iligan’s notorious heat head-on. Armed with umbrellas, sunscreen, caps, and portable electric fans, students must do what they can to mitigate the sweltering conditions.
As college students, we are not strangers when it comes to dealing with day-to-day problems, especially in our academic life. However, upon entering the university premises and our designated classrooms, the students’ battlefield instead becomes a fight against the pervasive discomfort of sweating through the entirety of class. How can we expect these intelligent individuals to embrace their full potential when their minds are occupied with this unbearable heat?
Iligan City experiences high temperatures all-year-round ranging between 29°C and 31°C. Hence, it is of utmost significance to maintain a safe and comfortable learning environment through the use of air conditioning, proper ventilation, and climate control measures.
Joshua Goodman and his colleagues— who study the impact of heat on learning, discovered that heat hinders the rate at which a nation's workforce can develop vital skills over time, other than affecting their physical capacities and cognitive capabilities. Further studies corroborate these findings, showing that uncomfortable learning environments, especially classrooms without air conditioning in hot climates, can hinder a student’s academic performance, and cause potential health risks. In addition, it would pose further risks to students and staff who have pre-existing health conditions such as asthma, allergies, and cardiovascular diseases, to name a few, which would worsen or trigger their symptoms due to extreme heat conditions.
The human brain, though capable of processing numerous stimuli, has its limits. The intense heat enveloping our classrooms would only serve as another thorn on our side, requiring students to exert much more effort to focus during class discussions. This often leads to fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. Overall, the combination of discomfort, reduced concentration, and impaired cognitive function would mark a decrease in learning outcomes and a negative academic performance for the students as they will struggle to understand lessons, retain information, and think critically.
Despite these challenges, some classrooms across various colleges at MSU-IIT still lack air conditioning. Additionally, restrictions on accessing classrooms outside scheduled class hours limit students' options for studying in a cooler environment, since within the premises of the university itself, there’s only a limited availability of communal spaces for students to study, relax and socialize between classes.
While the university’s main library and a few college libraries might offer some respite, it cannot accommodate all students, forcing many to seek costly alternatives like going to cafes or tolerating less-than-ideal conditions in their dormitories/boarding houses. Hence, the creation of additional student-friendly spaces in MSU-IIT is a welcome thought, and it would not only provide relief from the heat but also foster a sense of community and support mental well-being in a demanding academic environment. These spaces are essential for informal and formal learning, collaboration, and relaxation amidst academic pressures.
Nevertheless, the students of MSU-IIT eagerly await action from the administrators of MSU-IIT as this heated issue rests on their shoulders. This problem is not just about improving our learning environments - it is for the betterment of the students’ academic progress and ensuring that they have the essential tools and space to thrive academically, regardless of the weather.
For a state university that proudly proclaims a “world-class institution”, it is disconcerting that conducive learning environments and communal spaces are viewed as more as luxuries than necessities. It is quite disappointing that students must endure these conditions at an institution that takes great pride in the students’ academic performance and well-being. Indeed, the students of MSU-IIT deserve better, considering that securing a spot as an MSU-IITian is no easy feat.
In the scorching heat of the academic battlefield, where sweat-soaked students and educators desperately sought relief, the MSU-IITians’ quest to have conducive learning environments has become nothing short of a battle cry. The stakes are high as the fate of academic excellence hangs in the balance. Will the institution rise to the challenge and restore the cool comfort of learning, or will it succumb to the relentless heat? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: MSU-IIT's struggle for climate control will be etched into the annals of educational history as a sensational saga of determination and resilience.
Since the commencement of the dry season, announced by PAGASA on March 23, 2024, MSU-IITians have faced Iligan’s notorious heat head-on. Armed with umbrellas, sunscreen, caps, and portable electric fans, students must do what they can to mitigate the sweltering conditions.
As college students, we are not strangers when it comes to dealing with day-to-day problems, especially in our academic life. However, upon entering the university premises and our designated classrooms, the students’ battlefield instead becomes a fight against the pervasive discomfort of sweating through the entirety of class. How can we expect these intelligent individuals to embrace their full potential when their minds are occupied with this unbearable heat?
Iligan City experiences high temperatures all-year-round ranging between 29°C and 31°C. Hence, it is of utmost significance to maintain a safe and comfortable learning environment through the use of air conditioning, proper ventilation, and climate control measures.
Joshua Goodman and his colleagues— who study the impact of heat on learning, discovered that heat hinders the rate at which a nation's workforce can develop vital skills over time, other than affecting their physical capacities and cognitive capabilities. Further studies corroborate these findings, showing that uncomfortable learning environments, especially classrooms without air conditioning in hot climates, can hinder a student’s academic performance, and cause potential health risks. In addition, it would pose further risks to students and staff who have pre-existing health conditions such as asthma, allergies, and cardiovascular diseases, to name a few, which would worsen or trigger their symptoms due to extreme heat conditions.
The human brain, though capable of processing numerous stimuli, has its limits. The intense heat enveloping our classrooms would only serve as another thorn on our side, requiring students to exert much more effort to focus during class discussions. This often leads to fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. Overall, the combination of discomfort, reduced concentration, and impaired cognitive function would mark a decrease in learning outcomes and a negative academic performance for the students as they will struggle to understand lessons, retain information, and think critically.
Despite these challenges, some classrooms across various colleges at MSU-IIT still lack air conditioning. Additionally, restrictions on accessing classrooms outside scheduled class hours limit students' options for studying in a cooler environment, since within the premises of the university itself, there’s only a limited availability of communal spaces for students to study, relax and socialize between classes.
While the university’s main library and a few college libraries might offer some respite, it cannot accommodate all students, forcing many to seek costly alternatives like going to cafes or tolerating less-than-ideal conditions in their dormitories/boarding houses. Hence, the creation of additional student-friendly spaces in MSU-IIT is a welcome thought, and it would not only provide relief from the heat but also foster a sense of community and support mental well-being in a demanding academic environment. These spaces are essential for informal and formal learning, collaboration, and relaxation amidst academic pressures.
Nevertheless, the students of MSU-IIT eagerly await action from the administrators of MSU-IIT as this heated issue rests on their shoulders. This problem is not just about improving our learning environments - it is for the betterment of the students’ academic progress and ensuring that they have the essential tools and space to thrive academically, regardless of the weather.
For a state university that proudly proclaims a “world-class institution”, it is disconcerting that conducive learning environments and communal spaces are viewed as more as luxuries than necessities. It is quite disappointing that students must endure these conditions at an institution that takes great pride in the students’ academic performance and well-being. Indeed, the students of MSU-IIT deserve better, considering that securing a spot as an MSU-IITian is no easy feat.
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