Closed Door Policy: Keep Door Open!
Students Upset Over New Lateness Policy

By Carolyn Bedrosian '98
Carolyn Bedrosian Closed Door Policy With the ring of the 8:10 bell, the doors to every classroom slam shut. No student is allowed to enter Advisory, Town Meeting or Assembly until a yellow card has been filled out and a lateness awarded. Five "lates" result in one day of recycling duty, and every subsequent late brings an automatic recycling duty. At the end of the semester the slate is wiped clean.

Now that all of the logistics are down, I would like to formally protest the insane rule concocted by the administration. When I was asked to write this article numerous people came up to me and expressed their support for my cause. I won't mention any names, but I must admit that the majority of them were swimmers. Rules are created in order to set a standard, but in this case the rules should have some exceptions.

In SFAC last Friday, we discussed whether or not the Advisors and Form Heads should monitor this new rule. However, the Form Heads did not want the responsibility to determine which excuse was valid and which excuse was not. I believe that it is the duty of a Form Head to be able to assess the validity of excuses for any matter, whether it deals with a missed class or a lateness to Advisory.

A few examples for clarity. Invalid excuses: "I am sorry I was late but I over-slept," or "I am sorry I was late, but I was at Rich's getting breakfast." Now for some valid excuses: "I am sorry I was late, but I was talking to a teacher," or "I am sorry I was late, but my car wouldn't start because it's a piece of junk!," or even "I am sorry I was late, but I was not able to find a parking space."

The issue of parking has become a serious problem, especially for the Seniors. With the expansion of the New Middle School last year, we lost numerous, much-needed spaces. Granted, we are permitted to park on the grass, but we shouldn't have to lose our spaces because Middle School teachers don't park in their lot and walk over to the Middle School. We also shouldn't have to lose our spaces to parents that are either visiting or working at the school. If parents are visiting then an announcement should be made and the Juniors should be forced to give up their lot. Seniors are left with a grassy, half-filled lot. Parking is one of the issues that leads to latenesses.

On the first day of classes, fifty students were given latenesses. There were so many lates that the box of yellow cards ran out. How is this policy going to work if everyone is breaking it? How is the administration going to deal with the fact that the majority of the school by October is going to be in after school study hall?

My primary concern is that when the rule was decided, the administration didn't think of the students who cannot get to school at any other time. Take, for example, those who arrive to school on an 8:10 train. The policy should be revoked by SFAC and the administration should have reevaluated it. As of now this Closed Door Policy is ineffective!