Noise

Noise Mindfulness

Here are some practical things you and your roommates can do to be mindful of noise.

1. Use headphones: If you need to listen to music, watch TV, or make phone calls, use headphones to keep the noise level down for your roommates.
2. Keep the common areas clean and tidy: A cluttered and disorganized common area can make noise echo and amplify, keeping the space clean and tidy can help reduce noise.
3. Use door stoppers or rugs: Putting a rug or door stopper under your bedroom door can help absorb sound and keep noise from seeping out into the hallway or other common areas.
4. Use white noise machines: White noise machines can be a great way to mask background noise and create a peaceful environment for everyone.
5. Respect each other's activities: If one of your roommates is studying or sleeping, try to keep noise levels low and avoid interrupting them.
6. Be mindful of guests: If you plan to have guests over, let your roommates know in advance and make sure to keep noise levels down to a minimum.
7. Utilize common spaces: If you and your roommates have different noise level needs at the same time, consider using the common spaces provided as part of your on campus housing. For example, if your roommates have friends over, you could study in a general lounge area. Conversely, if you want to practice your instrument but your roommate is sleeping, you could take your practice to a study room (or stairwell because they have the best acoustics).
8. Be open to feedback: If your roommates tell you that your noise is bothering them, try to be understanding and work together to find a solution.

By following these tips and being mindful of your noise levels, you and your roommates can create a peaceful and comfortable living environment for everyone. Remember that effective communication is key, so always be willing to talk things through and find ways to compromise.

Quiet Hours

The following is the official USU Housing Quiet Hours policy

Each resident agrees to keep themselves, their visitor(s), and their guest(s) from any unreasonable behavior that would interrupt the sleep or study of others during quiet hours.

Unreasonable noises and disturbances at all times include, but are not limited to:

• Loud volume radios, television, stereos, vacuums, pianos, musical instruments of other amplified, mechanical, or electronic equipment (including voice, computer games, or electronically enhanced equipment).
• Excessive and loud behavior such as jumping or pounding in the apartment, loud noise in and around common areas, parking lots, laundry rooms, community centers, balconies, stairwells, or lobbies.
• Belligerent conduct that includes verbal or physical threats, brandishing of weapons or objects that can be construed as weapons, derogatory comments.

The resident can be fined $25 for each occurrence of non-compliance.
The following Quiet Hours are established for Single Student Housing:

• Sunday – Thursday: 10 p.m. - 8 a.m. • Friday and Saturday: Midnight - 8 a.m.
• Throughout Finals Week, 24-hour Quiet Hours are in effect starting the normal quiet hours start time 2 days before the first day of finals through 5:00pm on the last day of finals and will be enforced with a $50 fee for non-compliance.

Navigating Noise Conflicts

When living together, it is best practice to discuss different preferences and expectations surrounding noise with your roommates to prevent potential noise conflicts. However, conflicts may still arise or previously set expectations may be disregarded. Luckily, there are many ways to approach these conflicts with your roommates in a way that addresses boundaries and also stays respectful. For more information on how to address conflicts, refer to the communication strategies section.