The date was set. The DJ was scheduled to perform outside and the plans for Welcome Week were underway.
On Sept. 8, the Student Leadership Association office received some disappointing news. The DJ wouldn’t be permitted to play music outside due to city noise ordinances.
“I feel like this is a community college and we should be able to have fun,” Kollita Hollins, administrative support for SLA said. “Student life is sometimes noisy. I’m a little bit disappointed about the DJ not being allowed to play music outside.”
DJ Clay Hampton wasn’t allowed to play music outside due to a complaint that the college event would violate the noise ordinance of the City of Dayton.
“It is in my opinion that we have to obey the city of Dayton’s noise ordinance,” said Sinclair Chief of Police Charles Gift. “Music, especially when amplified in the plaza area, can be disruptive to the classes taking place in the building surrounding the event.”
Due to numerous internal and external complaints in the past related to music outside, the DJ was cancelled and instead students listened to a boom box that could only be heard several feet away.
“It is not unusual for a community college to have music outside, but what I am more concerned about is that myself, other student clubs and offices will know what we can and cannot do in regards to music outside,” said Chris Bridges, manager of SLA and student judicial affairs.
Some students thought that music outside would have improved the quality of the event.
“If the event had music, it would be better because music always makes things more enjoyable,” said Ashley Wallace, who is studying automotive technology at Sinclair.
However, other students thought that the lack of a DJ made the event more enjoyable.
“I think the event is fine without the music. There is school going on and music just causes everyone to get rowdy,” said Mark Jackson, who is studying business administration at Sinclair.
In the past, Sinclair has had DJ’s play at several events outside, which includes, the Safety Expo, Spring Fling and the Wait2Text event, and the noise ordinance was never an issue.
The Student Leadership office said that it was not aware of a noise ordinance and has been planning and hosting events for students for many years –with a DJ involved most of the time.
“[At the event,] the students would have loved to have music outside. DJ Clay Hampton would have played from 10 to 2, just four hours,” said Karen Williams, specialist/SLA advisor. “Just support your college events.”
Despite the music conundrum, Bridges said that the event was a success.
“Regardless of the music, we had over 25 information tables staffed by student clubs, campus offices and community resources for students. The dunking booth, photo hut, inflatable obstacle course and caricature artist were a big hit as well,” Bridges said. “We saw at least 450 students and we were able to help get them connected to the college and have fun while doing it.”