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QUAKER CAMPUS Sept. 26, 2024

Volume 23 — Issue 3

The voice of Whittier College since 1914

Scorching Heat Wave Leaves Students Sweltering Priscilla Corona STAFF WRITER Over the past few years, residents of California have felt an observable shift in climate, most notably an increase in extreme temperatures. Recently, Southern Californians experienced a record-breaking heatwave that began late August and lasted until early September. According to California Governors Office of Emergency Services, the recent heatwave broke records all across the state, with a total of 241 maximum temperatures recorded. In response to the heat, cell phone alerts were sent to Los Angeles County residents, including those in Whittier, advising the public on how to stay safe. One of those alerts included a Heat Warning sent by the County of Los Angeles asking people to “drink plenty of water, wear appropiate clothing, and not leave children or pets in cars.” The heat wave coincided with the begining of the Fall semester at Whittier College, and similar alerts were sent to all students. Whittier in particular is extremely prone to heat due to its latitude, elevation, and exposure to sunlight. According to FirstStreet, 100 percent of homes in Whittier have a major heat factor, which is used to measure the extremity of “feels like” temperatures in an area.

This year, FirstSteet estimated that Whittier would have 160 days above 80 degrees this year, and 183 days above 8o degrees 30 years from now, a 23-percent increase. As a response to the heat, the College made a couple of last-minute accommodations for its students. The recent Hiring Fair on Thursday, Sept. 5 was originally planned to be held on the Upper Quad, but was moved to Villalobos Hall to combat the heat. The Lavender Community Dinner suffered the same fate that same day and moved from its planned location, Harris Building A. The College also sent out flyers titled “Staying Cool On Campus,” which provided locations where students could relax and study that provided air conditioning, such as the SLC and Ettinger Lounge. Furthermore, Housing and Residential Life hosted the “Beat the Heat, Movie Night Series,” where every night from Wednesday, Sept. 4 to Sunday, Sept. 8 in the Stauffer and Turner first-floor lounges, the RAs played movies of different genres and provided free food, drinks, and ice cream. Although the College was accommodating to an extent during the heatwave, the Bonnie Bell Wardman Library was forced to shut down on Sunday, Sep. 8, to preserve the air conditioning.

Local workers struggle to stay cool during LA heat wave. “Many schools are ill-equipped for such temperatures, causing them to close, dismiss early, or shift to virtual classes during a heat wave. “Aging school buildings don’t all have air conditioning, especially units that can handle particularly hot days […] And research shows that students learn less and perform worse on tests in hot [weather],” according to EducationWeek. The impact that this heat wave had on campus raises the question of whether or not the College should install air conditioning in all the dorms. At the moment, only the residence halls in upper campus, Turner and Harris, are equipped

Courtesy Of Whittier Daily News

with air conditioning because they had to take so many cold showers. have been built and renovated more The common room was always full recently. because it’s the only air conditioned The dorms on lower campus, room and some people would nap including Stauffer, Johnson, and downstairs on the couch.” Ball Halls, lack air conditioning, According to California Office which adversely affects students of Environmental Health Hazard living there. Over three-fourths of Assessment, “temperatures have infirst-year students reside in Stauffer, creased by about 2.5 degrees Fahrand lack of air conditioning can enheit since 1895. Warming has make it difficult for new students accelerated, and seven of the past to focus and comfortably adjust. eight years have been the warmest “The heat wave was rough,” on record.” remarked first-year Johnna Gaines, As the years progress, the weathwho lives in Stauffer. “If I tried to er will continue to change, possibly take a nap I’d end up having fever for the worse. An increase of more dreams from the heat, no matter than 2 degrees Fahrenheit is expecthow many fans I had running, I ed across Califormia by 2040.

California is Burning: Is Whittier Next? Sara Martínez A&E EDITOR

their own susceptibility to the fires. One of the main reasons why Whittier residents might feel the By the first week of September, the city has a higher chance of fire is State of California had 10 active due to the Whittier Hills. The hills fires across the state. Three of those are part of the greater Puente Hills, fires—named Airport, Bridge, and a range that spreads northwest Line—burned in Southern Califor- of the Santa Ana Mountains and nia, in Los Angeles, Orange, River- ‘loosely’ connects the Transverse side, and San Bernardino counties. and northern Peninsular Ranges. As of Sept. 22, all three are still ac- The Puente Hills can be divided tive, with the Airport fire having the into three segments, with part of highest containment percentage of the City of Whittier located next 74. Since each of the fires began al- to the Whittier Hills portion. This most simultaneously and occurred area includes a large preserved open during a record-breaking heatwave, space for habitat restoration and residents of Whittier and students low-impact recreation such as hikat Whittier College are questioning ing trails. The area has several risk

This map of Whittier highlights the Puente Hills.

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factors for wildfires, including large expanses of shrubs, grass, and dry soil, and has many characteristics typical during a drought. The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority—which manages the Whittier Hills—claims to “take fire preparedness very seriously and has taken a multi-pronged approach over the years.” Aspects of this approach include an extensive list of measures, which include but are not limited to: an emergency response map, dead tree removal, a multiagency firefighting partnership, and hiring rangers who are trained wildland firefighters. Further, according to the Whittier Fire

Courtesy Of Puente Hills Habitat Authority

A home in Laguna hills burns due to intense heat. Department headquarters, they also have a plan in place in case a fire were to happen. Since Whittier College is located less than 10 miles from Worsham Canyon, it is at a higher fire risk than other parts of the city. According to the College website, under the “Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act”, the College is required to publish an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. According to page six, the report is published every year by Oct. 1, and the 2023 report is expected to be available shortly. A review of the 2022 report includes a Building Evacuation Procedure for students and others on campus in case of a fire emergency. The report also provides up-

Courtesy Of CBS

dates on the Fire Protection System, which includes fire alarms, sprinklers, smoke detectors, pull stations, fire drills, and fire extinguishers throughout campus. Although the report states there have been no unintentional, intentional, or undetermined fires at the College within the past three years, it clarifies that of the five student dorms on campus, four have limited to no sprinkler systems. Johnson Hall has no sprinkler system, Ball and Staufer Hall only have sprinklers in the basement, and Turner Hall only has a system located on the 1st floor laundry room. However, students should keep in mind that information is from the 2022 report and changes could appear on the 2023 report. available Oct. 1.