Construction noise a nuisance for students in Paul Miller

Students and professors in the Paul Miller Journalism Building went through class as normal Wednesday – that is, normal for a rock concert. A construction project just south of the Student Union and directly east of the Atherton Hotel started Wednesday morning, and the noise quickly became an issue for people within earshot.

Construction has become a familiar sight for students and faculty at Oklahoma State. Usually the problems can be avoided when they revolve around road blockages, path obstruction, etc., but it becomes a major concern when its effects are felt (and heard) in the classroom.

Gina Noble, a clinical assistant professor, teaches Media Style and Structure on the second floor of Paul Miller from 10:30-11:20 a.m. on Wednesday. Her class was directly affected by the noise.

"It definitely hampers two-way communication," Noble said. "The good news is all my students stayed awake. The bad news is I don't know if they can hear me. And sometimes I can't hear them. I can't hear their answers."

Noble had to go to extremes to ensure her voice could be heard.

"I always think, ‘Boy, I'm just going to talk louder,' then I'm talking loud," Noble said. "All of a sudden (the noise) stops, and then I startle everyone."

It's not just Noble's class that had trouble. Kyle Bradow, an undecided business sophomore, says his 9 a.m. Media in a Diverse Society class was disturbed.

"It was loud," Bradow said. "I couldn't really hear Professor (Mike) Sowell very well. We tried doing a quiz at the beginning of class, and it was hard to hear the questions. It was just a hassle more than anything."

Although the faculty members at Paul Miller were not informed, management at the Atherton Hotel was given a heads up. Steven West, director of hotel operations, said unlike previous construction projects, this one was expected.

"We knew about everything in advance this time," West said. "There were no surprises."

The project's goal is to remove a platform that held a refrigerating unit and pave the area left behind. The Atherton was informed that work would be done from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and that construction would be completed by the end of the week.

For now, those affected will have to deal with the noise, but that doesn't mean professors like Noble can't wish for something different.

"I like progress, but I wish they would do it at night," she said. "Thank God for PowerPoint."