The soundscape of the Grove: The acoustic environment of a campus centerpiece

A university campus is a mixed-use community where a balance between its functional and aesthetic qualities is central to its mission. The visual component of the environment is often the main concern, while the sonic component may not be carefully considered. The objective of this work was to evaluate the soundscape within the principal outdoor spaces on the University of Mississippi campus. These two spaces, known as the Grove and the Circle, are focal points of the University grounds and are relied upon to instill a positive first impression for visitors and to provide a locale for campus and community activities. In this project, the soundscape of these two spaces was evaluated through soundwalk-based surveys and sound level measurements. Five soundwalk sessions were conducted under different environmental conditions. Variations in perceptions and sound levels across the area of interest were found, and significant noise issues were identified. This study has provided meaningful information regarding the acoustic environment of the outdoor focal points of the campus and identified noise issues that should be addressed. Progress on mitigation efforts will be discussed.