Noise Policy

This online policy content is provided as a resource for the students, faculty, staff, and administration of Dickinson College. Content is subject to change. Please contact the appropriate person or office to obtain the most current information.

All members of the Dickinson College community are expected to respect the rights of students and area residents to live in an environment free from excessive noise pollution, thereby enabling all community members to pursue their academics free from harassing noise and excessively boisterous activities. Although students should expect that some events and activities will entail music and noise, they also have a right to expect that the level of noise will be reasonable and appropriate to the time and place. Responsibility for providing an environment free of excessive noise falls first upon individuals and groups who are expected to regulate themselves.

Any persons who object to the time, place and level of noise have the right to request that the noise be eliminated. When the complainant and the person or group responsible for the music or noise cannot agree concerning a reasonable level, the appropriate procedure is to ask a third party to mediate the problem. Appropriate third parties include: Resident Advisors, Community Advisors, House & Apartment Managers, Student Life staff, and Public Safety Officers.

In those cases where a third party is involved, disciplinary action may be initiated through the college conduct system. Sanctions for violations of the noise policy will be drawn from sanctions found in the Community Standards, individually or in any combination.

For more specific guidelines in residential spaces see "Noise Guidelines" under the Residential Living Guidelines.