College Roommates want a/c off and germs spread faster in heat.

You definitely need either a single or a new set of roommates. I'd talk to your RA about getting a single, on the grounds that you take a powerful drug that suppresses your immune system, making you much more susceptible to illness and infection. Bring some literature with you that explains the nature of the drug and the dangers that you face. Let the RA know that you're uncomfortable and worried about the high temperature and humidity in your room. If the RA isn't responsive, go directly to a higher authority. Every college is required to have someone on their staff who deals with students with disabilities. Even if that person hasn't dealt with many students with CD, he or she should be sensitive to your issues and your situation. Again, bring literature--and let the person know that you can bring a note from your physician confirming the serious nature of your disease and of the drug you're taking.

If you don't want to go to your RA, try going directly to the person (a counselor or administrator) who serves as the college's liaison to students with disabilities. Or have one of your parents (as long as they understand how to work politically to get you what you need) get in touch with him/her. Administrators often take parents more seriously than they take students.

Good luck with this! You deserve a room in which you can be comfortable and secure about your health.

Sorry, I hadn't read your post carefully, to see that you've already been to your RA. And while I agree that compromise is usually the best solution, I had two daughters who went to two different schools. The older girl was able to work things out with her roommate, even though they never really got along well; the younger girl had such a terrible time--with roommates who sound very much like yours--and was so miserable that she was finding it difficult to function. We finally got her moved in with someone she got along with better. She and her new roommate had a wonderful time, are still friends fifteen years later, and the change made her happy, productive (as in Phi Beta Kappa), and sane. So, while I agree with Nanners about compromise, sometimes you just have to throw in the towel. Give it a little more time, and then go talk to someone in authority, if the situation doesn't improve.

Hi thanks for your responses! We did reach a compromise on our own at first, I wanted it at 75 degrees and they wanted it off. So they were the ones that said it should be at 77 degrees. And I said that's fine. But after that they continued to turn it off. The A/c is also on auto so it turns off and back on. That is why I was upset because I thought we had reached a compromise. and there are actually 3 more girls other than myself. But the girl in my room is indifferent. Also the A/C is included with housing so it's not like it's a seperate cost or bill.
They even said they had to turn it off when they take a shower and they take long showers 3 times a day each and they've gotten in the habit of taking a shower at 1 in the morning. So i had grabbed my stool early in the morning and closed the air vent in the bathroom so that wouldn't be an issue but they still turned it off!
But today has gone well. We spoke to the RA and since she told them it must be on when I'm here they've left it on. They had told her that they never know when I'm here because I'm too quiet and that I should tell them I'm here. I'm sorry but I don't think I should have to report to anyone when I get to my own dorm. And I would think that you would want a quiet roommate as opposed to a loud one.So I now have a paper on the door that says I'm here and I take it off when I leave for classes or what not. I have not mentioned to them about the low immune system because I can already tell they won't respond well to the whole CD thing. One of them even told me with a snide look that I need to put the toilet seat cover down. Now why in the world would you want the cover down all the time? That just makes it harder for me when I'm in a rush, if you catch my drift. And there was only one girl really talking when the RA came b/c the other girl just agrees with everything her friend says b/c they've been friends since middle school and she just follows her around everywhere.

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Diagonosed with Crohn's of the Large and Small Intestines Sept 2010
had been suffering for 2 years before
Previously had 3 fistulas and 4 abscesses and had a fistulotomy and drainage
Meds: Started Humira 10/17/2010

First off, I'm not totally convinced that germs spread faster in heat. Some bacteria love heat and humidity, but flu viruses (for example) survive much better in cold. The deadly SARS virus that ripped through the world in 2003 was a cold-weather phenomenon. Indeed, it only managed to spread in the tropics thanks to air-conditioning.

I realize that not everyone's body functions at the same metabolic rate, so some people prefer cool temperatures while others like it hot. That having been said, I think that air-conditioning (a very recent invention) has really spoiled people, preventing them from learning to acclimate. If you go from an air-conditioned house to an air-conditioned car to an air-conditioned shopping mall, you won't get used to the heat. I grew up without air-conditioning, and don't have it to this day.

I hate to say it, but I'm sympathetic to your roommates. I live in southern Taiwan, where the climate is very similar to southern Florida. Quite hot and sticky in summer, but I live without air-conditioning. I have a thermometer in the room I am now sitting it, and it says 26 degrees Celsius, which is 78.8 degrees Fahrenheit. I have an electric fan turned on (low speed setting) and it's very comfortable. I am wearing shorts and a T-shirt. On the hottest days of summer we sometimes hit 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 degrees Fahrenheit) which I admit is uncomfortably hot. At that point the T-shirt comes off, the fan gets turned up to maximum, I consume a great deal of icy cold drinks, and at some point in the afternoon I may take a cold shower, but I still survive without air-conditioning.

Anyway, point is, what's wrong with using the electric fan? Seems like a perfectly reasonable compromise solution to me, at least up until maybe 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're going to live in southern Florida, you have to accept that it's a hot, subtropical climate, and always will be. To a certain extent you can adjust to it, by wearing thin light clothing. But if you hate the heat and you're really concerned that germs spread faster in hot weather, then maybe you've living in the wrong place. Much easier to change your location rather than trying to change the climate. If you can't acclimate to southern Florida, maybe you should be looking at schools in Maine, Washington state, or Alaska.

I'm sorry Lovely985 if that's not the answer you wanted to hear. I am sympathetic to your problem. But you have to consider the others around you - they have needs too.

Post Edited (ozonehole) : 9/9/2011 7:54:58 PM (GMT-6)

@ozonehole: I am not complaining about living in Florida. I just think if there's a perfectly working a/c it should be on. Especially since I pay the same housing everyone else does, I shouldn't have to be forced to live in 90 degrees and stuffy in my dorm because the windows are not allowed to be opened. It's 77 degrees with the a/c on, not off. The RA even said the a/c should be on because the walls can get moldy. There is also no air circulation whatsoever because as I mentioned before the windows are not allowed to be opened so with the a/c off as well, it's unbearable and can't be good for me or anyone else.

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Diagonosed with Crohn's of the Large and Small Intestines Sept 2010
had been suffering for 2 years before
Previously had 3 fistulas and 4 abscesses and had a fistulotomy and drainage
Meds: Started Humira 10/17/2010

Just FYI I found that using a fan constantly has two benefits constantly circulating air has a tendency to cut down on mold and such, and it helps cover up the noise of spacemates.

sorry you've got to deal with roommate issues- they can be the worst- even if you don't have something serious like crohn's to deal with

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37 year old male living in AZ. Diagnosed with Crohns at age of 15.
Currently on 20 mg prednisone. still taking Asacol. Done with Remicade- antibody level was over 8! Waiting for scope results to see about Humira or Cimzia.
In the middle of a bad flare now for 2 years...it's been one heck of a ride!