The Excessive Noise/Quiet Hours standard ensures that all students can live in a peaceful environment that is conducive to studying, sleeping, and overall well-being. Each student has a responsibility to be mindful of their noise level and to respect the rights of others who need quiet for their academic work or rest. In cases of conflicting needs, the right to quiet always takes priority over the right to make excessive noise.

Summary of Expectations

Typical Quiet Hours are:

• Sunday-Thursday (inclusive): 10:00 p.m. – 9:00 a.m.
• Friday & Saturday: 12:00 a.m. (Midnight) – 11:00 a.m.

Quiet Hour/Courtesy Hour Expectations:

• Outside of quiet hours, courtesy hours are in effect, meaning noise should still be kept to a reasonable level out of respect for others.
  • Courtesy hours are the period of time when noise should be kept at a reasonable level, even though it may not be officially designated as “quiet hours.” During courtesy hours, students are expected to be mindful of their noise, ensuring it doesn’t disturb others who may be studying or resting. If noise levels becomes disruptive, students may be asked to lower it, regardless of the time of day.
• During quiet hours, students are encouraged to use cafeterias and lounges for gatherings to avoid disturbing the community.
  • If noise becomes excessive, students may be asked to move or disperse.
• Some floors in Campus Housing may be designated as Quiet Communities, where quiet hours may be altered from typical hours, and enforced more strictly.
• Specific quiet hour expectations may be communicated for the end of term to accommodate different schedules and needs.

This standard helps maintain a living environment that supports both individual study and group activities while ensuring all students can enjoy a restful space.

Examples of Breaches of the Excessive Noise/Quiet Hours

The following are examples of breaches that may occur in Campus Housing. Please note that these examples are fictitious and have been created by NSCC Housing & Student Life staff as hypotheticals, based on years of experience working in housing. They are not reflective of current student breaches. Responses to breaches may vary depending on the specific circumstances, including the severity of the behavior, the impact on others, and any prior breaches. The details of each situation will be carefully considered before determining the appropriate action.

• A student is playing music at a moderately loud volume in their room during the designated Courtesy Hours on a Tuesday evening. The noise disrupts a nearby student who is trying to study for test. While the disturbance is not excessively loud, it is enough to be considered a minor violation of the Quiet Hours standard. (Level 1 Standard breach)
• A room of students host a loud party in their suite on multiple occasions during quiet hours, particularly on weekends. Despite several warnings from Community Assistants (CAs) to lower the volume and respect quiet hours, the noise continues, disturbing multiple residents in the vicinity. The repeated breaches, the disregard for requests to keep noise levels down, and the negative impact on the well-being of others requires a more serious intervention to address the ongoing pattern of behavior, and further action may be taken to prevent future disturbances. (Level 2 Standard breach)
• A student yells loudly at their video game. Their yelling can be heard from outside of their assigned living space. They had been asked to stop yelling already by Community Assistants multiple times that afternoon. Peers have also come to housing staff sharing concern for safety related to the emotional reactions, including the yelling, sounds of objects being thrown into the wall, and other noises in relation to the reaction to the video game. The student’s repeated loud yelling and violent outbursts, including throwing objects, create a disruptive and unsafe environment for the community, with concerns raised about emotional reactions and potential threats to others’ safety. The escalation of behavior, despite prior interventions, demonstrates a serious compromise to the dignity and security of the campus housing community (Level 3 Standard breach)