DePauw University
Policy on Noise

The University and its recognized organizations have an obligation and a responsibility to themselves and the surrounding community to provide an atmosphere and environment that is conducive to the normal functioning of both. The right to express oneself is limited by its effect on the rights of others. All campus groups, as well as outside agencies who use our facilities, must accept the responsibility of good citizenship and respect the rights to privacy of others.

The following policy is issued to encourage responsible social functions and curb excess noise. We affirm that these recommendations are solely for University policy. In no way do they control or circumvent city or state law.

General Policies Regarding Noise
The Greencastle Common Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Any request for street closings, exception to Noise Ordinance, etc., to be approved by the Greencastle Common Council must be submitted on the appropriate form (available in the Campus Activities Office) to the Clerk-Treasurer, City Hall, 1 North Locust Street, Greencastle, IN 46135, at least fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting. Permission must be granted by DePauw Public Safety prior to the request being submitted to the Clerk-Treasurer.

Please be sure to have a representative available for the meeting at which the request will be discussed to answer any questions the Council may have.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Greencastle Clerk-Treasurer at (765) 653-9211 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or DePauw Public Safety at (765) 658-4261.

All sponsoring groups shall take the following proactive steps:

1. Establish good mutual relations with residents of your neighborhood the year round. Canvas the neighbors immediately surrounding your living unit prior to any noise-making event. Encourage neighbors to call the living unit president directly with any noise concerns.
2. Set limits on the time span for all functions and adhere to them. It is expected that out-of-doors noise situations end at 9 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
3. Noise-causing situations are not permitted during class hours, except by permission through the Office of the Dean of Students. At other times, noise-causing situations cannot begin earlier than 11 a.m.
4. At no time should speakers or sound systems be in windows or outside living units, unless permission is granted through the Office of the Dean of Students.
5. Extend a personal message of apology and a written note to any neighbor complaining about noise following an event. The president(s) of all living units participating in noise-creating functions share in the responsibility for any event. The living unit president(s) are expected to act promptly and responsibly on all complaints and concerns voiced by an outside agency (campus security, neighbors, Student Affairs, etc.). In all cases of disputed responsibility, the host living unit shall assume primary responsibility. It is suggested that to help alleviate problems of responsibility the host group allow only a designated person or persons access to the volume controls. Predetermine acceptable levels of sound by checking with your immediate neighbors prior to any event. Then stay within those levels. Devise internal sanctions to discourage others from deviating.

It is University policy, suggested by students, to strongly discourage weekday parties and encourage closed functions. To help clarify this position, the following regulations are in effect to minimize future noise situations.

Category I - All-Campus Events
These shall be defined as events not held on living unit grounds but instead held in open areas with sound amplifying equipment. These events shall be registered with the Office of Campus Activities and Public Safety at least 10 full days prior to the event.

Category II - Outdoor Living Unit Functions
These shall be defined as outdoor events being held on the grounds of the sponsoring living unit. These events shall follow all of the criteria stated under General Policies.

Category III - Inside Functions
These shall be defined as events being held entirely indoors in any campus living unit. These may be held whenever the sponsoring group(s) desires so long as there are no complaints from neighbors.

Category IV - Individual Room Events Within A Living Unit
These shall be defined as events that are of a more spontaneous nature and are not a part of the living unit’s official calendar of events. The living unit president should still be aware that he or she is ultimately responsible for any activities within the living unit. In the event of complaints, the room occupant(s) and guest(s) shall also be held responsible, with the occupants bearing primary responsibility.

• In all categories of noise-creating events, the first time an agent of DePauw Public Safety is required to call on the organizer(s) of the event concerning a noise complaint it will be considered an official warning.
• The second time an agent of Public Safety is required to call on the organizer(s) concerning a noise complaint, the noise shall cease.
  
• The second time University Public Safety visits a living unit regarding excessive outside noise, the event will be shut down.