Noise & Amplified Sound Policy

Stanford is not only an academic institution but a residential community as well. It is the responsibility of all faculty, students and staff to moderate noise especially during an event or activity held on campus.

Supporting the mission of the University and respecting those who are studying, researching or otherwise carrying out academic-related activities is a Stanford priority. The campus must require an atmosphere conducive to ensuring these endeavors are accomplished and supported.

Disturbing noise in or around a residence or other campus buildings that infringe on the rights of other residents or members of the University community is considered a violation of this policy. As part of the event planning process, the event sponsor must obtain all appropriate approvals regarding the use of amplified sound during an event or activity.

Guidelines

Guidelines of this University policy include but are not limited to the following:

Campus Spaces and use of Amplified Sound

• In general, amplified sound is NOT permitted during "regularly scheduled class hours.”Regularly scheduled classes are those which are held between:

  8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and
  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday.

• These hours also apply to the End of the Quarter Period (e.g. Dead Week, Final Exams week and the School of Law Finals Week). Effective dates of these pre-exam and exam times can be found in the Registrar's Academic Schedule.

• During the summer conference months (from post-Commencement in June to the week before general classes begin in September) the class schedules above also apply as part of this policy.

Amplified Sound in White Plaza.

• By University policy, classes and other University functions cannot be interrupted by amplified sound except Monday through Friday between noon to 1:00 p.m. in the White Plaza area and in the nearby surrounding area, i.e., the Claw. Weekend and evening events may be permissible, but must be coordinated with other University functions, the Office of Office of Special Events & Protocol (OSEP), the Department of Public Safety and Student Activities & Leadership (SAL) when applicable. Sound systems may be arranged with the Event Services Group (723-2285). All activities using amplification (including information tables) must be scheduled with Student Activities & Leadership (SAL) at 724-1387. See White Memorial Plaza on the SAL website for more information.

General time limits on amplified sound at Evening Events:

Not allowed:

• Sunday through Saturday –between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Amplified sound may be permitted in the following venues:

• Student residence(s) or surrounding areas with prior approval from the appropriate residence dean.
• White Plaza (with approval from Student Activities & Leadership (SAL)) between 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m.

In general, amplified sound is not permitted in most outdoor areas** however, the following venues may be available pending administrative approval. Please note that some of these venues listed below may have more limitations on amplified sound than the general limitations mentioned above.

• Athletics Facilities and Fields
• Bechtel International Center Courtyard
• Frost Amphitheater
• Frances Arrillaga Alumni Center Courtyard
• Ford Plaza
• Kennedy Grove Courtyard
• Old Union Courtyard
• Roble Field
• White Plaza (see above)
• Wilbur Field
• Certain Student Residence areas

**For areas not listed here, please check with Registrar's Scheduling Office located in the Old Union: reg-events@stanford.edu

Event Sponsor Responsibilities

Event sponsors wishing to request the use of amplified sound in a particular campus venue should begin the process by contacting:

• Because Stanford University is private property, the Registrar's Scheduling Office needs to be notified regarding a reservation request to use indoor or outdoor campus space. Campus open spaces and buildings are only available to Stanford departments, schools, registered student groups or other Stanford affiliated institutes for organized Stanford sponsored events.
• PLEASE NOTE: Reserving the space with the Registrar's Scheduling Office does not indicate that the event has been approved. The event will ultimately need to be approved by the Executive Director of Special Events & Protocol, for any campus departments and schools making the request. Student Activities & Leadership (SAL) and/or the appropriate Residence Dean for student groups will assist them in reviewing and approving reservations.
• When completing the Facilities Usage form – (PE 100) the event sponsor must note whether the use of amplified sound is being planned for the event, what equipment will be used and the beginning and ending times of when amplified sound is expected to occur.
• After an event has been approved, but before an event occurs, the event sponsor must notify by email and/or flyer distribution those neighbors likely to be affected by sound emanating from the event venue. When preparing the notification:
  • Include the date, time and location of the event and the steps the sponsoring group is taking to keep the noise level down.
  • Also, include a phone number and the name of the sponsor contact person whom neighbors and others can speak with if there are concerns.
• For all indoor events using amplified sound, open only windows and doors that face away from neighbors who are likely to be affected by the sound.
• For information regarding maximum permissible sound levels in decibels, please refer to the Santa Clara County Code that is available from the Department of Public Safety and Office of Special Events & Protocol (OSEP).

Information regarding whether and how the use of amplified sound is permitted is available from the following sources:

1. Student Activities & Leadership (SAL)
   723-2733
   
2. Registrar's Scheduling Office
   353-1096
   
3. The Office of Special Events & Protocol (OSEP)
   724-1387
   

Other limitations and modifications to this policy may be made at the discretion of the Committee on Public Events (C.O.P.E). The policies on noise listed herein are based on the current Santa Clara County ordinances. Copies of the County Noise Ordinance can be obtained from the Department of Public Safety as well as the Office of Special Events & Protocol.

Approved by President/Provost's Office and COPE 2004.

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