Students living in the Gooch and Dillard Residence Areas, many of whom have complained in recent weeks about construction noise stemming from a roof replacement project, will soon have some respite from the disturbance on what have been deemed "three quiet days" during the upcoming exam period.
Housing officials, according to Associate Chief Housing Officer Marshall Hunt, have agreed with both builders and roofing contractors to grant the residents of Gooch and Dillard the periods of peace and quiet after receiving several complaints from students about the ongoing construction.
Several Gooch/Dillard residents said the roof replacement, which has been underway since October, has been noisy and obtrusive.
Jenny Anderson, a second-year College student and Gooch resident, noted that earlier in the year, when the roof above her room was being replaced, her desk vibrated due to the machinery in use.
Recently, however, these same residents were even more concerned about the noise level, particularly after a Housing Division e-mail was sent out Nov. 30, which stated, "This notice is to inform you that there will be construction work .. .on the following Saturdays: December 1, 8 and 15."
Third-year College student Carol Tran, also a Gooch resident, said her initial concern was that the often loud, distracting construction would be taking place Saturdays during end-of-the-semester exams and might negatively affect residents attempting to study.
Normally, Hunt said, Gooch/Dillard roof construction only occurs during weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christopher Dodge, a second-year Engineering student and Gooch resident, said the construction noise is incredibly irritating and bothersome.
"I was woken up at 8:30 in the morning every single day this past week," Dodge said. "Even with earplugs."
Tran noted that she and other residents sent out a flurry of e-mails regarding the construction and promptly contacted University Housing about their concerns. According to Tran, the issue was quickly resolved -- at least for the agreed-upon trio of quiet days.
Hunt said, however, that roof construction will continue during final exams per the usual weekday schedule, a reality that some residents are still not thrilled about. Hunt noted, however, that the construction is necessary as the housing facility must be protected.
Hunt also insisted that the construction had to take place now, and that there was no real way around it. He added that construction could not have started in the summer, due to the lengthy process of screening vendors, contractors and builders.
"We were made aware of very serious problems in the roof," Hunt said, noting that both water leaks and mold had been found by a hired inspector, who then determined that construction would have to begin as soon as possible, before the onset of winter.
Other residents, including Caleb L'Etoile, a second-year College student and Dillard resident,were not concerned by the work schedule.
"People are saying they can't study," L'Etoile said. "It's not that bad. We have libraries they can go to."
Still, University Housing, according to Hunt, has taken resident opinions into account and is sympathetic.
"It's not really an ideal time for students or the Housing Division," Hunt said.
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