A group of students is lobbying for mandatory “quiet spaces” on university campuses for people who like to go to parties but can’t handle loud noises.
Delegates to an LGBT+ students’ conference in London demanded that quiet spaces – which are distinct from safe spaces – be implemented to help students prone to “sensory overload” from excessive noise.
Officials considered the motion – “We like being loud, though sometimes we need quiet” – at the UK National Union of Students LGBT+ conference this month:
The motion – brought forward by delegates from the University of Sheffield – called for “clearly signposted quiet spaces” on campus to be made accessible for LGBTQ+ students.
It also said that all nightlife events organised by NUS LGBT+ organisations should have to offer a “quiet option” to avoid excluding anybody.
Delegates at the conference would have voted to either adopt, amend or strike down the motion.
However, due to the opaqueness and secrecy surrounding the event, officials have been unable to confirm what happened.
The NUS and University of Sheffield are both yet to respond to Heat Street‘s requests for clarification.
However, this would not be the first time student activists have attempted to act against the scourge of loud noises.
In 2015 the NUS Women’s Conference made headlines when it emerged the conference had asked delegates to replace applause with “jazz hands”, as the sound of clapping could prove “triggering” to some students.
The conference also voted on motions refusing to cooperate with the police at demonstrations and NUS LGBTQ+ events, as well as passing another motion cheerfully titled “All Landlords are B********”.