Residents fed up with ‘freezing’ showers

Many students are complaining they cannot get a hot shower at the Living Learning Complex, the University of Memphis’ honors dorm. 

Students in some areas of the building have been unable to get hot water for weeks now. It is unclear how many floors are experiencing water problems, as not all students at the LLC are having these issues. 

Aretha Milligan, associate director of U of M’s Residence Life and Housing, said she had little information to share about the LLC’s freezing water complaints. 

“We don’t know exactly what the problem is right now, but I can say we are working on this issue, and it will be resolved,†Milligan said. 

After spending thousands of dollars to live on campus, water temperature problems are the last things residents want to look forward to after a long day of classes, said Allison Todd, 21, an international studies and foreign language major. 

“I have one thing to say – I need hot water, and I need it now,†Todd said, while appearing exasperated and shaking her hands. 

Todd is one of many residents who said they feel ripped off after weeks of cold showers and muddy faucet water. 

The LLC is exclusively for honors and scholar students. It is one of the U of M’s newer dorms and is more expensive than most, with rent starting at $2,580 per semester. The resident hall can house about 500 students. There were 387 students living there in the fall semester. 

“We shouldn’t have to pay all of this money for housing and have no hot water,†Todd, who lives on the north side of the second floor in the LLC, said. “Administration has not even addressed why the situation is occurring.â€Â 

Another resident, Caleb Carter, 19, international studies freshman, said, despite his multiple complaints made to LLC administration, water problems still exist. 

“We’ve been experiencing water issues on my wing for weeks now,†Carter, who also lives on the north side of the second floor, said. 

Carter added that after complaining to his resident advisor, he was told to let the cold water run, and it would eventually turn hot. But after following those instructions, he said the water remained “cold as ice.â€Â 

Students were warned Saturday the hot water would be shut off from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day in order to fix miscellaneous plumbing issues. However, even after the time period allotted, the problem still persisted. 

David Bonilla, 19, business freshman from Memphis, said he could not remember the last time he was able to take a hot shower. He said he has even tried running the shower for hours at a time in hopes of hot water but still came up with the same results. 

“The plumbing issues are very inconveniencing,†Bonilla, who lives on the second floor, said. “I’ve tried to take quick showers, and, in some instances, I’ve had to make a drive home on the weekends just for a hot one.â€Â 

Bonilla said the University should locate the issue and fix the problem as soon as possible. 

“It’s cold outside, wet and muddy,†Bonilla said. “After a long day at school we just want a hot shower - that’s all.â€Â