A Dwyer
Consensus date? authors?

Noise

To aid in creating an environment within all the common areas of Wasatch Commons that welcomes all community members and creates a pleasant sound environment for all. the following rules and guidelines have been adopted.

Rules

  1. Speak in normal speaking tones appropriate for the activity when in the common house and when on the grounds closest to the common house, on the common path, and closest to individual homes within the community .This means, no excessive high pitched screaming in the common house and near or around community buildings. This summer we have had several of our children screaming to the top of their lungs for long periods of time. This is usually unpleasant to most people and can be very disruptive to peoples activities, day or night. Also, there are several individuals that do not attend community meals, mainly due to high volume voices during meal time.
  2. Quiet hours be from 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. during the school year, and 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. during the summer months. The summer months are most problematic in regards to noise, since people are more active outside and the sun does not set until around 9 or 9:30, causing an irritation for people who want and need to rest, especially in the upstairs bedrooms that face the community path. It would be best if children are inside or supervised by an adult during the quiet hours, because they easily forget about the quiet hour and tend to naturally be more noisy than adults. Since we are in such close proximity to each other, people should be mindful of how easily the sound travels in our community. To my knowledge, noise is most problematic around the common house grounds and on the common path. It would be best if parents (or the child's care taker) call in their child, or at least be supervising them during the quiet hours so other community members do not have to continually remind the children it is quiet hour.

    3. Guidelines

    1. People should be very mindful of how the sound travels from the common house to homes closest to it. If an individual of the community is having a party in the common house, they should let the households living within closest proximity to the common house know a week or so in advance, so in the least they could prepare for the additional noise. The quiet hours should still be abided by when parties are given in the common house, unless agreed upon otherwise by individuals living closest to the common house grounds and the party host.
    2. In general people should be respectful and mindful of their neighbors' needs in regards to noise. For example, one should be mindful of playing their music too loud, especially if they know their neighbor is sensitive to noise, or is sleeping. Children should be reminded by their parents or other community members they interact with not to shout incessantly in front of someone's doorway or window. Remind them of how close we live to each other and sound travels easily. Another example of being mindful, is to think about when the best time of the day is to use your lawn mower and other motorized equipment.

      3. page updated July 6, 2018

      formatting 5/29/2019