This time of year, the Quad is normally quiet as students rush to escape the cold. But this year, the silence is being broken by some hot beats.
Since August 2021 the Student Activities Center has played music through speakers outside the W. L. Lyons Brown Library daily. Although music has always been played in the Quad on different occasions, this consistent schedule is new to Bellarmine.
Interim Assistant Director of Student Activities Kaitlyn Nally said: “We used to play music in the Quad just when students or organizations were having events. So, it would be kind of sporadic.”
SAC employees pick playlists to play between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. every weekday. Nally said: We usually just stick with a ‘latest hits’ playlist. We do like to switch it up sometimes though.”
The reception to the music among students has been mixed. Nursing major Courtney Williams said, “I like the music that they’re playing so I’d say just keep it the same.”
Physics major Garrett Ferguson disagreed, “It’s neat that the play music, but I absolutely hate the music that they play,” he said. “They’re all overplayed and just horrible.”
Playlists might be changing soon because the SAC is gradually phasing in requests.
Martin Luther King Jr. Week marked the first time the SAC accepted a playlist request from outside the office. The Office of Identity and Inclusion requested the SAC play songs significant to African American history.
Knights of Color Coordinator Grace Michels said: “I didn’t actually know I could request music before I went into it. I had to poke around a bit since I didn’t even know where music was played.”
Nally said: “Since this is a newer program we have kinda kept it internal, but I think we’re definitely open to any departments that would like to share.”
Nally said she is worried about too many playlist suggestions overwhelming the office, but she said she hopes being open to outside suggestions will help make the music in the Quad more diverse and enjoyable.
Anyone who would like to make a recommendation may contact Nally at knally@bellarmine.edu.
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