University students, faculty and staff and representatives from ASUO student groups can voice their suggestions today on how to control noise coming from the EMU Amphitheater.
The public discussion will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the EMU Maple Room and will focus on possible changes to the University’s sound policy, EMU House Committee chairwoman Kerri Morgan said.
Morgan said the committee hopes to find ways to balance the needs of student groups and the academic community. She said enough complaints about noise from the amphitheater have been filed to make the issue a concern to University administrators.
Although the administration has final say over any changes made, it is allowing student groups to propose ideas.
Morgan said this discussion may affect all student groups who use the amphitheater.
“If we don’t do this the right way, (the administration) will take it into their hands,” she said. “We need to self-initiate our own change.”
The majority of the complaints have been regarding amplified sound, such as music programming for the ASUO Street Faire.
EMU Board representative Mike Kraiman said the House Committee will propose several drafts for a new sound policy.
The possible options include adding an event staff that would oversee all activities in the amphitheater, not allowing amplified sound between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. or instilling amplification-free time during the day and limiting the levels of sound permitted.
Opinions on allowing amplified sound in the amphitheater differ. Tricia Ejima, an employee at Erb Essentials, said noise is rarely a problem.
“It’s not really that bad; we don’t mind noise,” she said. She added it is difficult to hear any sound coming out of the amphitheater.
Associate journalism professors Scott Maier and Al Stavitsky also have no complaints.
“I enjoy it when I hear a band or a rally,” Maier said. “It shows that that the University population is involved.”
Stavitsky said noise coming from Street Faire concerts is a little distracting, but because it takes place only twice a year, it is not a problem.
Some students are concerned about excessive noise. Sophomore Jordan Sandler has classes in Willamette, Columbia and Allen halls, and said amplified noise in the amphitheater is distracting.
“It’s hard to focus on one environment when another is trying to get your attention,” Sandler said.
Sandler said he was annoyed when his professor became distracted by a band and kept looking out the window.
Roman Gokhman is a freelance reporter for the Emerald.