Rowan University is, without a doubt, a university that is growing rapidly. The university has just admitted its largest first-year class for this school year with over 3,400 students. With that, there are a lot more people on campus daily and more chances for people to be disruptive. 

The quiet hours here at Rowan University range from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, as well as midnight to 10 a.m. Friday through Saturday. “Courtesy hours” apply and are to be followed at all times throughout the day. However, it seems many have not been courteous of other people’s spaces, and have definitely not been following the quiet hours schedule. 

The main and most obvious issue that comes with the extra noise on campus is that it affects those who are trying to study or sleep. 

According to Rowan’s Residence Life: Safety Regulations for Residential Living website, “The right of residents to sleep and to study without interference from other individuals is a primary right. All residence hall and apartment residents are responsible for the noise they and/or their guests create while in the residential facility.”

Unfortunately, the dorms do tend to get pretty noisy, and therefore cause distractions. I can get distracted pretty easily while working on homework or studying. Usually, my noise-canceling headphones are enough to keep the noise from the hallway out; however, there have been a few instances where people scream or sprint down the hallway, and I can hear it even through my headphones. 

Instances like this can really interfere with those who are trying to focus on their studies, myself included. It just adds a burden to students who are already stressed out. 

As a first-year student living in a dorm myself, I took notice very quickly of how loud the dorms can get, especially at night. During Welcome Week, I noticed many students took advantage of the newfound sense of freedom here. There was quite a bit of partying, especially since classes had not started yet. Therefore, those nights were very noisy.

Although classes are now in session, the partying is still going strong. I don’t mind the noise from these parties as much on the weekends, but it has come to my attention that there are parties being thrown during the school week, too. This partying does not really bother me, so I just ask that those who do decide to party be courteous to their neighbors who don’t party and keep the noise down. 

As distracting as the noise in the hallway may be, especially during quiet hours, sometimes you hear some entertaining things. I’ve heard people singing opera, yelling random things to their friends down the hallway, and so on. It’s hard to ever be bored in moments like this. At the same time, these moments can also be annoying when you are trying to focus.

Don’t get me wrong, I am guilty of staying up late with my friends as well. However, if I do stay up late in the dorms, I try to be courteous to those around me and keep the noise down. It is possible to still have fun and not disturb those around you. 

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