Columbia University Housing

How to Complete a Maintenance Request

Facilities Management handles maintenance and housekeeping requests for all residence halls and brownstones. To place a non-emergency maintenance request, go to the Housing website, click on “Maintenance Request” and follow the instructions. To expedite service, please provide complete information and keep the confirmation email you receive from Facilities Management for your records. Every effort will be made to respond to all non-emergency work requests within three to fourteen working days. If the problem is not responded to within fourteen days, or if you continue to have problems, contact the Hartley Hospitality Desk at 212-854-2779.

47 Claremont, 548 W. 113^th Street, 600 W. 113^th Street and Harmony Hall, while managed by Housing, are owned and operated by University Apartment Housing (UAH), who is responsible for all maintenance and housekeeping requests. Public areas outside the suites are cleaned several times per week, while kitchens, bathrooms, and common areas within each suite are cleaned weekly. Residents in these buildings should submit their Maintenance Requests by contacting their superintendent, or by calling 212-854-9301. If problems persist, contact the Hospitality Desk at 212-854-2779 for assistance. For after-hours emergencies, contact Facilities Management at 212-854-2222.

In non-emergency situations, the following jobs/situations are given priority: lock changes or repairs, malfunctioning plumbing (i.e., leaks, clogs, or broken plumbing equipment where there is only one toilet or shower available), repair or replacement of safety equipment, repairs necessary to maintain sanitary living conditions, and no heat.

Common Maintenance Requests

Elevators: If an elevator requires maintenance, contact the Hospitality Desk at 212-854-2779. If someone is trapped in an elevator, contact Public Safety at 212-854-2796.

Heat: Climate control of the residence halls must satisfy city codes and the University energy policy while adapting to variations in the outside temperature. As such, from October 1 to May 31, between the hours of 6:00am and 10:00pm, whenever the outside temperature falls below 55°F, an average temperature of 68°F is maintained within the residence halls. Between the hours of 10:00pm and 6:00am, whenever the outside temperature falls below 40°F, an average temperature of at least 55°F is maintained within the residence halls. For information on how to adjust the heat in your particular room, please see the following instructions:

• Broadway, Carman, East Campus, Furnald, and Schapiro: Turn the blower fan to one of several operating speeds.
• 600 W. 113th St., McBain, Ruggles, Watt, Wien, Woodbridge, and 47 Claremont: Our systems do not allow for full regulation of the heating system. Attempting to adjust the radiator valve in your personal room will manipulate the heat for the entire building, impacting the ability for heat flow in every room.
• Hartley, Wallach, Hogan, John Jay, and River: The heating systems connect several suites and rooms to one control valve, and it is difficult to shut off heat in any one room as long as heat is being delivered to the building.

Electricity: Power failures are most often due to an overloaded circuit. Contact the Hospitality Desk at 212-854-2779 to report this problem. For fire safety, and for the protection of your appliances, we recommend the following:

• Do not overload electrical outlets; only one appliance should be plugged into each socket in the outlet.

• Do not use multiple extension cords.

• Do not operate two or more high-amperage appliances simultaneously (i.e. a computer and a hair dryer).

• Use a surge suppressor to protect your computer and other sensitive electronic equipment.

Replacing Light Bulbs: If a light bulb has burned out, you may obtain a replacement by submitting an online Maintenance Request.

Central Air Conditioning: Central Air Conditioning is active from approximately May 15 to October 1 each year in the following buildings: Broadway, Carman, East Campus, Furnald, and Schapiro. If the central air conditioning in your room is not functioning properly during a period when it should be active, please submit a Maintenance Request.

Laundry Machines: Laundry machines are serviced regularly, but if a machine is out of order, please post an “Out of Order” sign and submit a Laundry Maintenance Request. If you lose money due to a machine malfunction, refunds are available at the Hospitality Desk.

Maintenance Emergencies

What Constitutes an Emergency?

• Window that cannot close
• Doors that cannot be secured or that will not allow access into the room
• Fires
• Doors/Locks that are broken by the FDNY in emergency situations
• Floods/Leaks
• Lack of a single light source in which a temporary light source cannot be provided
• Power failure
• Stolen keys
• Clogged or overflowed toilet in a suite
• Lack of a single heat source in which a temporary heat source cannot be provided
• The smell of gas

Reporting Maintenance Emergencies

To report a maintenance emergency, please contact the Hospitality Desk at 212-854-2779. Do not place emergency requests online as this will only delay the response. If the Hospitality Desk cannot be reached, contact Public Safety at ext. 99, and they will inform the Hospitality Desk staff of the problem.