The Central Forum, an area with one of the highest human traffic in school, has become an area of concern for the users of the library and University Scholars Programme blocks on Kent Ridge campus. 

The complaints about noise levels began coming in mid-semester.

USP lecturer Donald Favareau said he was holding a seminar at the USP administration block when noise from the performance at the Forum interrupted his class.

“The noise was distracting and students could not hear the presenters who were talking,” he said, adding that the seminar was held on a Thursday between 12p.m. and 2p.m.

According to library users, the peace and quiet of the Central Library was also compromised whenever events took place at the Forum.

The issue – noise created during events and performances held in the gathering area.

Phuah Siew Wei, a fourth-year literature major, said she was distracted by the sounds from the Forum when she was studying at the third level of the Central Library earlier in the semester.

“The noise was not muffled and quite clear. The users at the third level were definitely affected by it,” she said.

Ng Suan Eng from the Office of Student Affairs said, to minimize the disruption of classes, the school has already put in place regulations for student groups that want to hold events in the Forum to comply to.

Performance and music are only allowed during lunch hour from 1p.m. to 2p.m and after office hours. However, the library, which is open from 8a.m. to 10p.m., remains affected despite the screened timings.

Reuben Li, president of the Arts Club, said his members of his club were told to reduce the noise level of the “Jam Aloud!” preliminaries.

“We did out part in trying to assess the impact by going to the library and carrying out sound tests and checks. Eventually, we did lower the master volume,” he said of the incident.

However, Li added that there was still a limit to what could be done to lower noise levels.

“We cannot mute the sound of drums. At the same time, we have to remember that while there is a crowd at the library who can hear us, there is also a crowd in the Forum who wants to listen to us,” he said.

 “We already have compromised a lot on our side. It will be unfair to restrict us,” he added.

The clampdown on student activities might attract criticism from the student body.

Phuah, who attended the “Jam Aloud!” preliminaries, said, “We need such loud events to add to the vibrancy on campus. Otherwise, the atmosphere would be really dead.”

Ng herself is aware of the significance of the Central Forum to student life.

She pointed out that the Forum was “in the first place” designed as an area for student gatherings and activities.

For Li, it is a problem that is difficult to solve.

 “If you bear in mind the functionalities of the library and the Forum, you will realize that they are quite incompatible,” he said. “Adequate measures need to be taken to prevent one from affecting the other.” 

When approached by The Observer, the Office of Estate and Development was not able to confirm if the library is appropriately soundproof.

Ng Teik Peng, senior manager at OED, said, “It is a complicated matter and many factors need to be taken into consideration. In order to really determine whether the library is sound-proof, a specialist needs to be engaged.”

According to Ng, there was no consideration about soundproofing the library when it was renovated over a period of time between 2003 and 2004. However, the design of the library fulfilled regulations set by the government in terms of safety and other criteria, he said.

Ng added that the OED has yet to decide on future plans to solve the noise issue.

“If the OED really wants to address this issue, we will have to review the sensibility of sound-proofing. The frequency of these student events and the high cost of renovation are some factors we need to seriously take into consideration,” he said.