August 25, 2026
Dear Sagehens,
With temperatures expected to exceed 100°F over the next several days, Pomona College is activating its Heat Mitigation Plan. The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority, and we want to make sure students and families are aware of the resources available during periods of extreme heat.
Cooling in Residence Halls
While a number of our residence halls have in-room air conditioning, some of our older residence halls do not. Students living in rooms without air conditioning are permitted and encouraged to use portable evaporative coolers, which can measurably reduce room temperatures, particularly when supplemented with ice. One evaporative cooler may be used per room. Bagged ice is available at Frary Dining Hall and Frank Dining Hall during operating hours.
Window and portable air-conditioning units are not permitted in residence hall rooms because of electrical and building-system limitations.
In addition, several residence halls have air-conditioned lounges or cooled common areas, giving students nearby options throughout the day and evening. Air-conditioned lounges are available in Harwood, Smiley, Clark I, Clark III, Walker and Wig, with additional cooled common areas in Lyon Court, Wig Hall, Walker and Norton.
Additional Cooling Spaces and Extended Hours
During periods of extreme heat, we expand access to cooled spaces across campus, so students have comfortable places to study, gather, eat and relax outside their rooms.
- Smith Campus Center: The SCC living room will be available 24/7 via swipe access, and first-floor restrooms will remain unlocked.
- Dining Halls: Frary Dining Hall will remain open until 9:00 p.m., and beginning Wednesday, August 26, Frank Dining Hall will also remain open until 9:00 p.m., providing air-conditioned space and access to cold beverages.
- Outdoor Misters: Misters will operate in residential seating areas, including the pergola outside Harwood Court and areas near Wig, Clark V and Norton-Clark.
- Water Stations: Additional hydration stations will be available along College Way and in residential areas, including College Way and Bonita Avenue, outside Walker Lounge, and near Café 47/the Coop at the Smith Campus Center.
- Ice: Bagged ice is available at Frary Dining Hall until 9:00pm. Beginning Wednesday, August 26 until 9:00pm, ice will also be available at Frank Dining Hall. Students may ask a dining hall manager for assistance.
- Mattresses: If Students would like to temporarily stay in other halls with friends, mattresses are available at Walker Lounge, Heritage Lounge, Smiley Lounge, and Harwood Lounge.
Staying Safe in the Heat
We encourage students to stay hydrated, make use of cooled spaces during the hottest parts of the day, and pay attention to signs of heat-related illness.
Pomona's heat mitigation plan is designed to provide multiple layers of support during periods of extreme heat—from helping students mitigate heat in their individual rooms to providing accessible air-conditioned spaces, hydration and other resources throughout campus. College staff will continue to monitor conditions and adjust our response as needed.
Thank you for helping us look out for one another and keep our community safe during the heat. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact fcs.admin@pomona.edu.
Bob
Robert Robinson
Assistant Vice President