Students at the University of the Azores are raising concerns over living conditions at the Laranjeiras student residence in Ponta Delgada, citing hygiene issues and a lack of hot water that they say is affecting both their physical comfort and psychological well-being.

According to a report published by the Correio da Manhã, residents have complained about recurring cockroach infestations in both bedrooms and the shared bathroom. One student, speaking on condition of anonymity, described a daily occurrence: “They show up in the cabinets, in the bathroom, on the walls—every day. And those in charge tell us it’s normal because we live on an island, and that pest control only happens in August.”

Roughly 60 students in Block 3 have also been without hot water for about two weeks, forcing many to take cold showers or rely on friends in other buildings. “This puts our physical and psychological well-being at risk,” students said, adding that their complaints have gone largely unanswered.

In a written response to Correio da Manhã, the university acknowledged “a malfunction in the water heating system” affecting Block 3 and said a specialized company had been contacted, with repairs expected during the current week.

Regarding the pest concerns, the university stated that a “regular pest control plan” is in place and that additional measures are scheduled to reinforce sanitary conditions.

For students living in Laranjeiras, however, the issue is not policy but immediacy—how long conditions can persist before response turns into resolution.

In Diário dos Açores-Paulo Viveiros, director

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.