Changes Instituted to Quiet North Campus and Students' Complaints
By Justin duRivage
News Writer

Before most students wearily climb from their beds and languidly stroll to class, the Walker Greenhouse is in full swing. Plates, trays and food are all delivered as Sagehens dream of organic chemistry and Chaucer. That is, except for students living on the north side of Walker Hall who endure the constant beeping and clanking of a fully operational dining hall just footsteps from their beds.

In addition to the early-morning noise caused by the Greenhouse's operation, the alarm used to guard the greenhouse has been tripped a half-dozen times this semester, disturbing north campus residents in the early hours of the morning.

Numerous students from north campus have complained, both to The Student Life and to the Office of Student Affairs about the noise stemming from the Greenhouse facility. Many students described how they were often shaken from their sleep.

"I haven't been able to sleep past seven o'clock without being woken up," complained Noah Buhayar '05.

Buhayer also hoped the administration would take all possible measures to reduce the noise around Walker.

While Walker residents are annoyed about the noise and are eager for its cessation, many have said that they have become used to the activity outside the dorm and that the sounds no longer prevent them from sleeping.

Keith Kwan '03, whose room faces the north side of Walker Hall, was also concerned about the noise, but described with amusement the intrique that the new dining hall brought outside his window. "One morning, around nine o'clock, I heard a truck outside beeping for ten minutes. An hour later the truck was still there, stuck in the volleyball field, and I heard yelling and swearing in Spanish," said Kwan.

Despite the lighter side of the Walker disturbance, the Office of Student Affairs has responded seriously. Dean of Students Ann Quinley expressed sympathy for student complaints. "We are aware that there is a problem and we will come to the best solution we can," she said.

The College is now implementing numerous changes to reduce the noise around Walker. The Greenhouse audible alarm is being replaced with a silent-strobe light next week. Dean Quinley has also instructed housekeeping to collect garbage later in the day so as not to interrupt student sleep. While the beeping food service delivery trucks behind Walker and the resulting awakened students remains an unsolved problem, the administration will "talk about options early next week to resolve the noise issues," said Quinley.