Bowen Hall residents have complained about temperature fluctuations in showers over the past month, and while Kathleen Ruppe, associate director of University Housing for Central Campus, said the problem has been solved, some students say they disagree.

“The fluctuation in Bowen was a real thing and did happen,” Ruppe said. “We had to replace a steam valve, which prevents [water from getting too hot]. The clay valve and a strainer were replaced as well.”

Shower water may still be very hot at times, according to James Carter, a freshman in Transition Program.

“They have helped out a little by changing something over the weekend, but it still tends to fluctuate,” Carter said.

Shane Ferrara, a freshman in engineering, said Housing’s response was not fast enough.

“I knew about [the problem] from the general consensus, so I knew [complaints were] going to get answered eventually.” Ferrara said. “They took much longer than I expected to fix it. They came through and told us they had the part on the way, but then it took another week.”

According to Carter, said he had contacted Housing to fix this problem prior to spring break, and while someone responded, they did not make an appointment to check the problem.

“Many people in Bowen contacted housing before spring break, but no one fixed it until now,” Carter said. “For the money that we pay as students, this should be fixed quickly.”

Carter also said he was concerned about the temperatures the water reached.

“I don’t want to be taking a shower, trying to rinse my back, and be scalded from the water,” Carter said. “It is a big deal.”

In February, a burst sprinkler-head outside Bowen caused a leak of 300 gallons of water, and Ferrera said he thinks the temperature issues may be connected to that incident.

“I think it could be something wrong with the pipes,” Ferrara said. “We are a group of very old buildings. The plumbing isn’t the way it should be, so it becomes a dangerous situation.”

But Ruppe said the problem has likely been solved.

“With all of the work that we have done, I wouldn’t expect anything,” Ruppe said. “We have spent a lot of time repairing many things in the building.”

Ruppe believes students should not be concerned. “I wouldn’t be too worried,” she said. “You can never know 100 percent, but it’s not expected due to vast amounts of work.”