Students comment about noise ordinance for campus, Logan
The noise ordinance for Utah State University and Logan City leaves students with mixed feelings between respecting quiet hours and having fun.
Jill Spaulding, a junior from Rexburg, Idaho and a resident assistant at Valley View Towers, said one of the reasons many students are having trouble abiding by quiet hours is because they are still meeting each other and excited about the start of a new year.
Melanie Peterson, a senior from Lindon, Utah and an RA at Valley View Towers, said another reason the freshman and sophomores have trouble controlling their noise level is because they can do what they want because parents are not here to tell them to be quiet.
“Although they try to be serious about school, all the freedom is enticing,” Peterson said.
Quiet hours are in effect from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 12 p.m. to 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday. During this time, “All residents must be considerate to other residents when playing stereos or electronic equipment … talking in common areas, etc. Noise must remain at a level that does not infringe on someone’s peaceful enjoyment,” according to the Resident Life Handbook given to students living on campus.
The handbook also states that punishment for breaking this rule is a fine of $25 for each disruption.
Desiray Groll, a junior living in.Aggie Village, said although there is a $25 fine for disruptions, punishment is at the discretion of each RA and varies according to the degree of the violation.
Groll said Aggie Village is different from other campus residences because the students living there are families, upperclassman or graduates who choose to live in Aggie Village because of its quiet atmosphere. There aren’t as many violations of quiet hours as other residences.
Despite the printed “terms and conditions of occupancy” in the Resident Handbook and the placement of RA’s in campus residences, many students still feel the rule inhibits their college experience.
“I love to have fun and make noise,” said Masahiko Kino, a sophomore from Kawasaki City, Japan. Kino said his roommates also share the same views. They try to pay attention to the level of their noise, know it’s rude, but sometimes they just want to have fun, he said.
Violation of quiet hours is also a problem off campus, said Detective John Lisonbee, an ordinance investigator for Logan City Police Department.
Lisonbee said he has had to break up many parties off campus with “college-aged kids” in the last couple of weeks because of citizen complaints.
Although parties cause disruption in area neighborhoods, so does on-going construction.
Lisonbee said citizens regularly protest about neighbors working on vehicles, hammering on roofs and construction starting before 7 a.m. He said contractors for construction sites usually comply with quiet hours after the first warning.
It’s important to make sure quiet hours are respected because children – as well as adults – need their sleep, Lisonbee said.