As finals approach, studying locations are at a premium across campus, where some students say construction is hindering their progress.
Many students whose classes are interrupted by construction noise fear the noise could continue through the finals.
Facilities and Operations spokeswoman Diane Brown said demolition on the Haven Hall project is complete and consequently, work there shouldn”t cause noise problems.
But work in Mason Hall is scheduled to continue, and although construction will not cease during exam time, Brown said efforts are being made to keep disruptions to a minimum.
“We try to work with all the people who have knowledge of the different aspects of this job and the academic programs it affects to come up with the best solution while still keeping to the work schedule,” she said.
LSA sophomore Ben Weiss, who has a Roman archaeology class in Angell Hall, said his professor sometimes has to stop in the middle of lecture due to loud noises. He added that he is concerned about the possible noise during finals.
“A giant rumbling sound comes from Angell Hall during lecture,” he said. “It”s like a cell phone going off during a test. You lose your train of thought, and I don”t want that during my final.”
LSA freshman Christina Chau said her statistics professor has had to leave class to complain about the noise because the students can”t hear the lecture.
“Finals are just a week,” Chau said. “I”d rather just have it quiet around here. I don”t want to be disrupted or looking up every time I hear a loud banging sound during finals.”
Brown added that the effort to keep disruption to a minimum has been an ongoing process throughout the year. The contractor, project managers and LSA administrators, she said, have been meeting weekly to discuss the upcoming work schedule and how things have been altered because of issues they”ve encountered in the work and academic schedule.
“We try to always build the study days and final exam time period into the construction schedule but the major construction projects are on such intense schedules that we can”t always stop things for several days,” Brown said. “But we want to be as considerate as possible.”
Also in the spirit of the studying season, the Shapiro Undergraduate Library will be open 24 hours a day Sunday through Thursday until the end of finals to accommodate late night studying.
Brenda Johnson, associate director for public services at the University libraries, said students seem to appreciate and make use of the extra hours.
“It was very heavily used in December. There were usually at least 100 students between 5 and 8 a.m. when we”d usually be closed,” Johnson said.
In addition, a donor group called Friends of the Library sponsors coffee and juice during the extra hours to help students stay awake and alert.
“We know students are tired and they”ve been working hard. Sometimes they”re staying there and going right on to the final and we thought a cup of coffee might help wake them up,” Johnson said.