Stec attributed the disparity between complaint tallies in Leverett Towers and the rest of Leverett House to the difference in heating systems. "Steam heat is more consistent," he said.

However, not all Towers residents are displeased with the state of affairs.

"I've found that it's better that it's cold because it's easier for me to stay awake and study," Michael W. Groves '01 said.

Other Towers tenants said they've had no problems with their heat.

Residents of other Houses did not report similar problems, though many of these Houses also use hot water heating systems.

First-years, however, had plenty of gripes. Some, like Lindsey O. Worth '02, a Straus resident; Peter W. Graham '02, who lives in Wigglesworth; and Nancy Liao '02 and Margo Strucker '02, both of whom live in Canaday, were surprised to hear that the heat had even been turned on.

Jessica F. Shapiro '01 warned that, at least for Straus residents, the situation will only get worse. "I slept with my feet on the radiator last year," she said. "It was such a small room to heat, but it was still cold."

Shapiro, now a resident of Kirkland House, also said she was dismayed that she was unable to control the temperature levels of her room in Straus. The heaters in student rooms in many of the upper-class Houses have functional dials with which the students can regulate their heat, while most of the freshman dorms do not.

Yard Operations officials declined to comment yesterday evening on the situation.

O'Connor offered advice for students with heating problems. He noted that every time he receives a heating complaint, he asks the student to check for furniture which has been inadvertently placed in front of a radiator, to check for open windows, and to make sure the radiator dial has been turned on.

"You'd think these are common sense, but you'd be surprised," O'Connor said.