Statement from City College Board President Alan Wong: City College to hold Emergency Meeting for Heating Issues

March 10, 2023 (San Francisco) – 

Background: Over this past winter and spring, City College students and staff have had to endure cold classrooms as a result of poor heating at multiple City College campuses and centers, including but not limited to, the John Adams, Mission, Wellness Center, Creative/Visual Arts, and Science buildings. City College administration has taken interim measures including providing hand warmers and portable space heaters. However, each classroom can reportedly only field one portable space heater due to the electrical circuits unable to handle multiple space heaters. 

Some of the heating problems stem from boilers that have been maintained beyond their useful life but now are irreparable and need to be completely replaced and high pressure underground steam pipes that need replacement due to leaks.

Many faculty have advised their students to wear thick layers of clothing to stay warm. Unfortunately, some students have reportedly dropped their classes due to concerns for their own health and safety in the cold classrooms.

Statement from Board President Alan Wong: “The heating issues at our City College campuses are unacceptable. I feel frustration and anger as I hear about students that have to use hand warmers in class to keep warm. City College must take decisive and immediate action or risk losing students. As City College Board President, I am invoking my right to call an emergency board meeting at our Mission campus to take emergency action. 

“It is a disservice to our students and staff that they have had to wait so long. I want to let students and staff know that I see you and I hear you. I will look into further measures to keep our students warm, including potential class relocation and fixing electrical issues.

“The meeting will be on Tuesday, March 13, 5pm at the Mission campus. In addition to demanding immediate action from our administration, I have agendized approval of $2.2 million for boiler replacements and facilities fixes for Mission, John Adams, and Wellness Center and discussion for adequate facilities department staffing.”