MADISON, S.D. (KELO) — Colleges across the state are starting classes Monday. Unfortunately, they were met with 90-degree temperatures and high humidity. As students moved in this weekend, they had to fight through a few typical South Dakota summer days, which forced students and administration to make staying cool a priority.

Students at Dakota State were looking to ease into the start of classes Monday, but the weather had different plans.

“It definitely plays a factor into getting around. Everything’s all sticky and gross, and it’s just not a good time,” Dakota State senior Chad Compton said.

Dakota State’s campus is compact, which reduces the time it takes for students to walk from building to building. Most buildings also have air conditioning, but one dormitory, Edgar C. Higbie Hall, does not have it in students’ rooms.

Police: 4 people shot at Dunham Park, no arrests yet

“Some of our older residence halls do have less robust AC units, and I had a couple of friends who lived in one of the halls a couple of years ago, and man, when that sun beats down on that building, those rooms get real hot,” Compton said.

School administration is doing what they can to help students stay cool.

“Students know that we have plenty of fans for them to use. Those are free of charge. We aren’t making people rent them out or do anything like that,” Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Amy Crissinger said.

And students are looking forward to the cooler fall weather ahead.

“I think my favorite time of year is definitely when this heat winds down a little bit, and it’s just before we get to that kind of colder period where like winter begins. Fall season is just so beautiful around here,” Compton said.

The administration is also keeping air-conditioned buildings like the student union, library and the BEACOM open until midnight.