Comment:

Yes, it's April 10, about 10 'til 4. I'm sitting in my office and I know there are activities going on in the Library Mall, but the music is extremely loud. Anyway, I thought there were some guidelines on that. Wish that it could be addressed, hopefully in an e-mail or something to the staff.

Response from Richard Rafes, senior vice president for administration:

The event you are referring to was Spring Fling, sponsored by the Traditions Committee of the University Program Council. The event was planned as an end-of-the-school-year afternoon carnival or festival with face painting, caricature artists, wax hands, novelties, food and live music. We were also fortunate to have several corporately sponsored events that day (Dallas Mavericks, Coca-Cola Mad River and the U.S. Army).

This type of event was planned based upon numerous student survey responses we received. The date and time chosen, April 10 from 12:45 to 5:30 p.m., was determined to be the best time to reach the highest number of students. Two groups were scheduled to perform that day at the Shrader Pavilion — Jared Crebs Quartet from 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. and Havana NRG from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Technical sound support was provided to both groups by Union Technical Services. The technical coordinator monitored sound levels (with a portable decibel meter) to assure the groups did not exceed the maximum sound levels established by Risk Management for outside sound. The level we monitor for is 85 decibels.

To our knowledge this is the only sound level ordinance in place on our campus. There are no other written policies regarding when the Shrader Pavilion can be scheduled for live music or any other type of entertainment. We try to take a proactive approach in monitoring the noise and sound levels associated with our outside events. We regret that you felt the sound levels exceeded reasonable standards.

Our hope is to continue to provide this type of outside activity for our campus community. The greater campus seemed to appreciate it, including numerous faculty and staff who stopped to express their support. We will do what we can to make sure these events are a positive part of campus life.

If you have a comment, complaint or compliment about the university, call Answer Line at (940) 565-4100 and leave your remarks on the recording. Please be specific.

Your message will be directed to the appropriate officials and a response may be published on the InHouse web site. Questions may be edited for clarity and brevity. Unsubstantiated personal accusations will not be published.

Other featured articles in this issue

• Time for summer enrollment in benefits programs approaches
• Student health center screening for SARS
• UNT receives $900,000 to fund research
• What are UNT faculty reading this summer?
• New Faculty Senate chair says he's 'still emerging' as a scholar and leader
• New Student Orientation to host close to 3,000 incoming UNT freshmen
• UNT departments on the move
• Magazine ranks UNT among top 100 universities for Hispanic students
• UNT professor seeks study participants

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