From SUB with ‘Noise’: How Activities at SUB Car Park Affects Learning Activities in the Faculty of Arts

Opemipo Olukoga

The University of Ibadan, renowned for its 76 years of academic excellence, stands as a beacon of intellectual distinction. With experienced lecturers, esteemed professors, and a legacy of producing outstanding alumni across diverse fields, the university embodies its motto of being the “First and Best.” Complementing its academic rigour are its picturesque campus and vibrant extracurricular activities, which offer students opportunities to relax and enrich their lives beyond the classroom.

However, this harmonious blend of learning and recreation has faced criticism, particularly from students in the Faculty of Arts. Their concern revolves around a persistent issue: the noise and distractions emanating from events held at the SUB park and football pitch, both of which are situated near lecture rooms. These disruptions pose significant challenges to students’ ability to concentrate during lectures, threatening the university’s promise of providing a conducive learning environment.

An average student already juggles various thoughts during lectures; academic pressures, balancing extracurricular commitments, and personal responsibilities. Adding external noise to the mix only amplifies these distractions, making it increasingly difficult to focus. This problem is exacerbated for students in the Faculty of Arts, whose courses demand intense concentration and silent environments for study.

A common misconception is that students in this faculty, which includes departments like Music and Theatre Arts, should naturally adapt to noise. However, this claim is unfounded. As one student aptly pointed out, no History or English major would willingly study in a rehearsal hall filled with musical instruments or stage preparations. Even students in Music and Theatre Arts understand the distinction between focused academic work and rehearsals.

The frustrations of Faculty of Arts students are echoed in the experiences shared by Moses, a final-year student.
“I’ve had experiences of events holding at SUB and being affected by the noise, but I think I got used to it because I felt it was inevitable. The noise affects students reading in the library or faculty, but for me, it’s less significant since I prefer reading at night after lectures.”

Similarly, Favour Akintola, another final-year student, highlighted the frequency and impact of these disturbances: “Often, our classes are interrupted by the noise from SUB park events, especially when our lecture rooms are directly opposite the park. Sometimes, we can’t even hear our lecturers properly. Just two weeks ago, a lecturer paused to complain about it. This is a learning environment, and we should prioritise education. Something needs to be done.”

Students have also proposed solutions to address this recurring issue. Inioluwa Oladimeji, a third-year student, suggested rescheduling SUB events to late evenings when lectures are over:
“Last semester, it happened at noon while classes were still ongoing. It was so annoying. All activities and parties should be scheduled in the evening when classes are done.”

Moses echoed this sentiment, emphasising the need for timing adjustments to prevent conflicts with academic activities:
“I understand that renting out the park and pitch generates revenue for the school, but timing is key. The university should ensure that these events do not disrupt learning. Noise causes distractions, especially for those with short attention spans.”

The question remains: Is the Student Union aware of this problem? AFAS Press contacted Aweda Bolaji, the president of the Student Union, who assured students that the matter would be addressed. However, it is unclear how soon action will be taken, leaving Faculty of Arts students uncertain about when they might expect relief.

The ongoing disruptions caused by SUB park and football pitch events underscore a broader issue of balancing academic priorities with extracurricular activities. While these events are valuable, their timing must align with the university’s mission to provide an ideal learning environment. Until decisive action is taken, students in the Faculty of Arts will continue to grapple with these distractions, and the quality of their education may suffer as a result.