8 minute read
Editorial: In-class consideration
Anyone who’s attended a class this semester has seen it; students pack themselves into a classroom like loneliness at a Stephanie Meyer book signing.
They’ve also undoubtedly seen some of the problems this can cause, but there is one in particular that is simply inexcusable – the noise pollution.
Obviously, with the amount of students at Pierce College, places to sit may be hard to come by. Most students are aware that this will be the case and will arrive early.
But arriving early does not necessarily mean getting into the room early, as there are often other classes going on. What we end up with are hordes of students gathered outside of classrooms that still have classes going on inside of them.
This creates a problem. A group of 20 or so people can make a lot of noise.
Also, remember that there is usually more than one of these groups near each group of classrooms, so add even more noise.
So if you’re in one of those classes that is still going on (and you have been, we all have) you’ll spend the last 15 minutes or so trying to hear your professor over the din coming from outside.
And God help you if you’re sitting by a window or if your instructor is a “lowtalker.” the Protection of Free Expression worst offenders list.
This can usually be solved by a professor simply opening the door and asking the horde to just quiet down for five minutes, but it shouldn’t have to come to that.
Now, obviously, it would be completely ridiculous to put a school-wide ban on talking within 10 feet of a building. Plus, considering Pierce can barely enforce a smoking ban, it would also be extremely difficult.
It should also, however, be completely unnecessary.
Most people learn somewhere around kindergarten that it’s just common courtesy for students to remember where they are and to act accordingly.
But apparently some of us missed that day, so here’s a refresher.
Keep the volume at a dull roar when outside of a classroom. It’s really not that hard, and it’s really not asking too much.
No student’s education should be compromised just because some inconsiderate individuals who happen to travel in large groups have vocal levels that go to 11.
If you really must communicate as loudly as is humanly possible, take it somewhere else.
You could try the parking lots. The smokers are probably lonely out there anyway.
