It’s finally lunch time after a long morning of hard classes. Stomach growling, I look around the crowded cafeteria, endless lines all over, knowing that by the time I get my food, I’ll only have 10 minutes to eat. Just minutes away from campus, there are quicker, less hectic options… but I’m a junior and not allowed to leave.
Jesuit needs to change the off campus privilege policy to include juniors.
Even though juniors are old enough to drive, manage their schedules, and make responsible choices, the closed campus policy keeps us stuck in a crowded and inefficient cafeteria.
Wouldn’t giving juniors the freedom to go off campus during lunch be a reasonable step toward independence and easing the burden on the cafeteria?
According to the student handbook, section 6.17 it clearly states, “seniors with off-campus privileges may leave campus during break and their lunch/prep period.”
While no other students are allowed the same freedom, juniors are just as capable of handling such privileges and should be trusted with this responsibility.
Not only would this prove the responsibility of the junior class, but it could also encourage greater trust between the students and the administration.
By granting juniors off-campus privileges, administrators would show that they believe in the juniors ability to handle increased freedom, just like the seniors are trusted to do.
Off-campus privileges would also encourage students to respect the trust placed in them and take pride in their ability to be accountable.
Not only would it build trust, but as Jesuit junior Claire Steyskal points out, Jesuit’s policy is out of step with other schools.
“Other schools in multiple different school districts are given off campus privileges and Jesuit should let their students go off campus as well. Going off campus gives students a break from the school environment which will help mental health.”
Junior, Ana Kubiacyzk agrees, adding, “I think off campus privilege would be a good mental break from school so when we return to our classes we are able to be more engaged in our work.”
Regarding mental health, junior year is a very stressful, exhausting year.
Beyond typical teen stress, junior year includes starting off the college search, the infamous junior paper, increased rigor in AP and honors classes, and for athletes, managing what is often the most important year of sports.
Adding a short break off-campus could relieve the stress of schoolwork, overall improving mental health.
It seems like a clear choice, so why wouldn’t the administration change the policy?
Possibly, another concern of administration could be what guidelines need to be enforced to ensure students return to campus in time.
Of course, this is an understandable concern about safety, lateness or students skipping classes. However, these concerns can be easily addressed with a well-structured policy.
To ensure that these off-campus privileges are used responsibly, some policies that could be put in place could be parent permission forms, behavioral standards, and clear consequences for misuse.
Junior Addy Farley feels “that the same rules should apply for return on time as we have in the morning.”
This would mean students could be tardy up to three times per semester before receiving a JUG, and arriving 20 or more minutes late would result in an after-school JUG, just like it does for morning tardiness.
In addition to these existing rules, the administration could require a parental permission form specifically for off-campus privileges.
This would ensure that parents are fully aware of the policy, acknowledge the responsibilities that come with it and understand the consequences for any misuse of the privilege.
It’s time to let the juniors prove that they can handle the responsibility. With clear policies in place, there’s no reason to keep juniors stuck on campus. It’s time for a change.
