Seven percent of the UP student body responded to the ASUP survey
By Laura Frazier, Staff Writer
One UP student has a unique idea in mind for the UP Bell Tower.
"We should ring the bell 108 times at 7 a.m. on the morning of Friday, Dec. 31 to commemorate the Japanese New Year," the student said. "For it is 7 a.m. in Portland when midnight strikes in Tokyo, which is when I plan to join my Japanese brethren in atonement."
This was just one of the responses to an ASUP online student survey about the Bell Tower. But, since less than 7 percent of the UP student body responded, the results were far from conclusive. The survey allowed students to anonymously write in their thoughts as well as answer questions.
When asked if the ringing of the bells disrupts or interrupts class, 37 percent answered "sometimes," 26 percent said "frequently," 20 percent said "rarely" and 17 percent answered "never."
One student commented that the bells are distracting during Mass as well.
Results were similar when students were asked if the ringing of the bells affected their ability to focus in class. Twenty-five percent said that they are "frequently disrupted" and 39 percent said they were only "sometimes disrupted." 21 percent said they are "rarely disrupted" and 15 percent "never disrupted."
But some students say that the ringing of the bells does not distract them.
"I live in Christie, the closest dorm to the Bell Tower, on the Bell Tower side, and I have never been at all disturbed by the bells," said a student.
Though obvious that the bells can be heard from any point on campus, an overwhelming 70 percent of respondents said that the Bell Tower is most disruptive when in Buckley Center. Franz was the next most prominent answer with 31 percent.
One student addressed the effect that the Bell Tower has on St. Mary's student lounge.
"Many students study or work in St. Mary's and the ringing is very loud and can often be disruptive of studying, work or even events occurring in St. Mary's," the student said.
When asked if they would support a resolution that limited the ringing to once an hour instead of every 15 minutes, 72 percent of respondents agreed.
While some students suggested that the bells ring only on the half hour, some appreciated that the current schedule keeps them on time.
"I enjoying hearing the bells ring every 15 minutes," a student said. "If I am talking on the phone they remind me what time it is and when I need to leave for work or for class."
Another student agreed that the frequency of the ringing is adequate.
"If Big Ben, another Bell Tower, can ring every 15 minutes, why can't the UP Bell Tower do the same?" the student said.
Some students commented on the songs and tone of the bells, and one student thinks that the bells should simply ring upon the half hour.
Another anonymous student was upset.
"Please get them to change the bell sounds," the student said. "It sounds horrible, kind of like a kindergartner is playing random bells."
One student agreed that the bells needed more finesse and variety.
"I thought the Bell Tower can play up to 14,000 songs" the student said. "Why do we only hear the same song every time?"
Based on the responses, some students seem generally happy and thankful for the Bell Tower.
One student especially appreciates the nighttime songs.
"I love the song that plays every night around nine. It's like the bells are saying good night to me," the student said.
Another student noted the bell tower's contribution to UP as a Catholic community.
"The bell tower is symbolic and amazing," a student said. "I realized that we are a Catholic campus that needs a bell tower, and basically your campus isn't complete without one."
Though happy to have some feedback, senator and ASUP vice-president elect Katie Scally, a junior, does not think the survey warrants sending a resolution to administration as only 199 of UP's 3,035 students participated.
"To me the issue is not nearly as alive as it was in January or earlier," she said in e-mail. "However, I'm willing to revisit the issue next year should students see it as an issue again."
