Taking a nice, hot, leisurely shower can be one of the most relaxing moments in daily life, something easily taken for granted. Some start the day with a refreshing blast of hot water, while others choose to end the day by washing all the filth and fatigue away before flopping into bed. Imagine, if possible, what life would be like without this daily pleasure. To lack hot water while living in Amherst is unthinkable.

Forty-one years ago this week, huge signs screaming, "WE CRAVE HOT WATER! A test of the theory that it pays to advertise," started "blossom[ing] forth from the windows of a six-man suit in E Dorm" (often referred to by students as "Big E"), now known as Pond Dormitory, according to The Amherst Student. Investigation revealed that the residents of two suites in this new dormitory had had no hot water since their arrival at the College.

More than 10 sophomores "reacted violently to their ten minute walk to the gym for showers." It didn't help that the weather was starting to get colder, and these chilly students began a visible campaign to get the administration's attention.

A buildings and grounds superintendent explained to The Student that the College had no control over the buildings while the dorms were under construction. College officials were only able to run tests on the new installations shortly before students moved in at the beginning of the school year. An investigation at the beginning of the year revealed that the entire dormitory complex lacked heat and hot water.

Though buildings and grounds staff were able to clear up most of the problems, the unfortunate denizens of the hot-waterless dorm rooms were not satisfied with the job so far.

The busy maintenance crews promised to clear up the remaining problems quickly, to the relief of the freezing sufferers.

-Daisy Cheung