Construction on Rendezvous proves an inconvenience to Hill residents

Shannon Jessen was sleeping in her room in Rieber Terrace when her desk began to shake and the noise of jackhammers reverberated off the walls.

Standing barefoot on the ground, she was able to feel constant movement, Jessen, a first-year economics student, said. It was 8 a.m. and construction on Rendezvous had begun.

The construction is part of a $2.4 million renovation project aimed at expanding the Rendezvous quick-service restaurant’s food storage area, among other fixes, so the popular Mexican and Asian eatery on the Hill can serve a larger number of students. The Hill has seen other construction projects in recent years, including the renovation to De Neve dining hall, which reopened in fall.

The expanded Rendezvous will include a Chipotle-style burrito bar, a permanent boba station and an expansion of specialty salad options, UCLA spokesperson Alison Hewitt said in an emailed statement.

UCLA originally built Rendezvous to serve about 3,500 students daily, but the restaurant regularly served about 2,000 more students than it was supposed to, Hewitt said.

The construction on Rendezvous began during winter quarter and is expected to end in August.

Construction is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday through Saturday, Hewitt said, though it usually ends by 4 p.m. The loudest construction – caused by jakchammering or power tools – typically begins after 9 a.m.

Hewitt said UCLA will notify students by email when major construction will take place. The emails are set to come a day before construction will cause vibrations or noise that can be heard or felt throughout the building, she said.

Students can also pick up free earplugs at the Rieber Hall front desk to lessen some of the noise, she added.

However, some Rieber Terrace residents said they have not received any emails from housing informing them about construction.

Olivia Young, a third-year psychology student who lives in the building, said she also did not receive an email about construction beginning and that the noise from the construction has not allowed her to use her room for studying or relaxing.

“It’s completely disturbing my studying,” Young said. “I would utilize my room as a study space, but now I wake up first thing in the morning and leave, and I cannot use the study lounge on the floor because of the noise.”

To study, Young said she either goes to the library or tries to find another study lounge that is far enough away from the construction.

Young said she thinks the students who live directly above Rendezvous are in an unfair situation because they pay the same amount as other students in the building though they are disrupted by noise.

For Jessen, the noise has prevented her from spending much time in her room, since she said loud noises give her headaches and anxiety.

Halea Waters, a third-year sociology student, said she thinks the construction was louder on the first two days of winter quarter because of jackhammering, but that it may get quieter as painting begins and workers are using less heavy machinery.

“When you come back to your dorm, your dorm is your home and your place of rest,” Waters said, “It is frustrating to have (construction) in your home, but I have hope (that) it will get better.”

Hewitt said students can submit noise complaints to UCLA Housing by calling 310-206-7800 or emailing construction@orl.ucla.edu. Students can also contact their resident directors or the Rieber front desk with complaints or questions.