While sound-absorbing panels installed in Chabot’s batting cage have lowered average noise levels, instantaneous readings still surpass city code.

The Chabot College Baseball Stadium’s recent noise mitigation efforts have yielded mixed results, according to a presentation given to the Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 10. Vice Chancellor Owen Letcher and consultant David Brinkerhoff from Forensic Analytic Consultants shared noise study findings from before and after installing sound-absorbing panels on the stadium’s batting cages.

The study, prompted by concerns of residents residents, evaluated noise levels at the fence line between the batting cages and nearby homes.s. Brinkerhoff explained that Hayward’s municipal code limits noise to 70 decibels during the day and 60 at night for commercial and industrial properties.

The initial assessment recorded an average of 60.1 decibels over a 24-hour period at the fence line before the sound-deadening materials were installed. A follow-up study after the installation showed a reduction to 53.4 decibels.

Brinkerhoff emphasized the complexity of noise measurement, noting that the decibel scale is logarithmic rather than linear. “If I have an increase of three decibels, that converts to a sound pressure increase of twice as much sound pressure,” he explained.

The study used different measurement methods, including the community noise equivalent level (CNEL), which puts more emphasis on nighttime noise more. Using this metric, the pre-mitigation level was 61.2 decibels, dropping to 56.7 decibels after the sound-absorbing panels were installed.

“When we look at sort of our instantaneous readings, they exceed the code, the 60 or 70, all the time,” Brinkerhoff said. “During the daytime, during the nighttime, whether they’re in the batting cage or whether they’re not.”

The consultant argued that some form of averaging is necessary to interpret the data meaningfully, as common environmental noises often exceed the city’s limits. For example, Brinkerhoff noted that the board chair’s gavel measured 77 decibels during the meeting.

When averaged over 30-minute periods, the noise levels consistently fell below the city’s thresholds, both before and after the sound mitigation efforts. “The code doesn’t tell us how to do that averaging,” Brinkerhoff acknolwedged. “We need to use a little bit of common sense.”

Vice Chancellor Letcher explained that most of the baseball field components remained in their original locations after a 2020 construction project. The primary change was the installation of sound-absorbing panels on the batting cages, extending from ground level to 16 feet high.

As the college continues to balance its athletic program needs with community concerns, the noise study results present a nuanced picture. Although average noise levels have decreased, persistent high readings suggest that further discussion and more mitigation efforts may be needed to address neighborhood concerns.

After 18 months of construction, Chabot College students can finally explore the brand new library located in Building 600.

At the start of the Fall 2024 semester, the building is already a popular spot for studying, hanging out, or waiting between classes. As the semester progresses, Building 600 is expected to remain a top destination for Chabot students. The new library promises to be more than just a place for study; it’s a center for connection, community, and creativity.

The new library was recognized with the 2020 Project in Design Award of Excellence by the Community College Facility Coalition (CCFC). Key features include a family room for students with children, a recording room for media projects, and group study rooms all available for reservation.

The library also has a lactation and prayer room. Pedro Reynoso, Outreach & Instruction Librarian, shared how a main goal for Building 600 was to be more inclusive and to fit student needs, “we have a large number of Muslim students who were looking for spaces for prayer during Ramadan”

The goal is to give students a modern, comfortable place to learn and work. Jenny Nguyen, a Chabot student, shared her excitement about the new space saying, “It’s much more spacious than the previous library.”

For students looking for a quiet place to focus, Jenny recommends the third floor. “There’s a computer lab up there, so if anyone needs a computer to do their homework, it’s very useful.” Each floor of the library has a different noise level marked by paintings on the wall by the elevators. The first floor is the loudest, and it gets quieter as you go up, with the third floor being the quietest.

Another student, Guadalupe Gonzalez, said she appreciated how more resources are offered. Students have easier access to the materials and tools they need. They can borrow laptops, mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, DVDs, magazines, and more. The library also has new charging stations for phones, laptops, and tablets.

Chabot College’s new library is already a key part of campus life. With its wide range of resources and special features, it’s designed to meet student needs. On Oct.15 the school will be holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new building.

Imagine if your college experience was more than just classes and assignments. What if you had a built-in support system, priority registration, and personalized mentorship? For students in Movement, this is their reality.

Movement was created to provide a safe space for Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) students and staff, with student success at the core. Michael Lai, the program’s coordinator, shared that “in addition to building community and providing counseling, curriculum, and classes, we connect with past Asian American Pacific Islander social movements.”

This learning community utilizes the “three C’s”: Community, Counselor, and Classes. The focus on community helps to bring people together while each student is assigned a counselor to discuss academic goals. Movement also offers specialized classes, such as Asian American History, Pacific Islander Studies, and English, tailored specifically for its students.

Additionally, students benefit from priority registration, allowing them to sign up for classes earlier than others.

One of Movement’s standout features is its mentorship program. Developed with the help of Striving Black Brothers Coalition and Puente, the program was solidified two to three years ago, after many students requested it in 2016. 

“Our continuing students are paired with incoming students, serving as mentors,” Michael explains. “In addition to the mentor and mentee peer, we connect them with a staff member, so they work as a trio.”

The program not only helps new students to settle in, but also allows returning to give back.

If you’re interested in joining Movement, there are many ways to get involved. After completing the online application, you can join the Movement Club. This is the student leadership group, perfect for those who enjoy interacting with others and planning events.

However, if you want a lighter commitment, you can simply take the classes, follow their social media, or use the counseling services. Whether you participate a lot or just a little, every bit of involvement helps the community.

Michael emphasized that Movement welcomes all students, despite different backgrounds. “We serve students across the world. We have non-Asian-American, non-Pacific Islander students, and it creates a rich learning environment.”

Whether you’re an AAPI student or simply interested in the culture, check out Movement in Building 2300, Room 2301. It’s a chance to connect with like-minded students and grow together. For more information, visit Movement’s page on the Chabot College website: https://www.chabotcollege.edu/aapi/movement/.

On Oct. 1, clubs gathered in Chabot College’s Building 2300 to showcase themselves to the student body. 

Representatives had tables with fliers about their clubs and three-panel boards to present their club activities. Some clubs also offered items for sale, such as iron-on patches, key chains, and bracelets.

Among the many clubs that were showcased was the Biology Club. The club’s secretary, TingTing Ma, explained that their goal is to bring together like-minded people, specifically Biology majors. She added, “We can share more information about biology and even form study groups to help each other out.”

One new thing that they started this year is gardening in the school’s greenhouse by planting flowers, fruits and vegetables. They also began germinating, the process in which an organism grows from a seed. Additionally, they hope to collaborate with a nonprofit organization that is focused on preserving wild bees.

To learn more about what the club offers, visit their Instagram page @chabot_bioclub for more information.

When asked what has been different about the club this year, Sean said, “The amount of trips that we’ve been able to go on. I think our team this year has been doing really well with contacting places to go to, organizing, and getting the money.”

To learn more about what the club offers, visit their website Design | Chabot Architecture for more information.

Other clubs that were present include the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), Digital Designer’s Studio, and Puente.

The Club Showcase at Chabot College allowed students to connect with groups that share their interests. With many clubs to choose from, they can make their college experience more than just about academics. For the full list of clubs, visit the club page on Chabot’s website: Student Clubs List – Chabot College.