If you are a student at BHS, you have likely heard about the proposal to introduce an open campus policy. The topic has quickly become one of the most talked-about issues in the school community, sparking debates among students, parents, teachers, and administrators alike. Along with the discussion has come a wave of rumors, misunderstandings, and conflicting opinions about what an open campus would actually look like for BHS students.
Let’s separate fact from fiction by addressing some of the most common rumors surrounding the proposal, examining both the potential benefits and drawbacks of an open campus policy, and highlighting the perspectives of students and staff members I have spoken with throughout this process. While opinions on the issue vary widely, one thing is clear: the decision will have a major impact on the environment of BHS.
Here is a simplified version of the most mentioned pros and cons to this proposal.
Pros:
- Fosters life skills and independence
- Allows more room for mental health breaks
- Allows for greater variety of food being available to students
Cons:
- Liability concern for the school involving the safety and security of students
- Allows more room for peer pressure and risky behavior
- Could lead to tardiness and truancy
- Could lead to poor nutritional habits involving fast food consumption
I decided to ask around the school regarding this issue. I talked to students and staff, and here are some of their opinions. Leslie Lopez Diaz, a 12th grade student who is graduating this year, gave us a very honest opinion by saying that “the open campus, I feel, is good. But it depends on the situation. For example, if someone wants to go get something to eat and then come back by the end of their free period, that is fine. However, I think people will take advantage of this. Maybe they wouldn’t come back at all or try to miss class. They should try to vary what periods allow for people to leave campus, to avoid this problem.”
Mr. Tarby, a math teacher in the high school, cited some drawbacks of open campus: “There are some safety concerns involving opening campus; for allowing students to cross the road. However, it may create less safety issues inside of the building. We end up trading one concern for another, we don’t know which one is best. My first point, I think, is why there is likely push-back. The safety of the students. But, we also need to consider that safety concerns are present with both having all students on campus and not having all students on campus.”
In regard to the way students feel that administration may see it, Emily Hughes, a 10th grade student, said, “I think the administration is hesitant to open campus because they are concerned people (who) are looking out for our best interests and safety.”
So it seems like there are two sides, both with equally excellent points. So the question then is: Would this policy be a net positive or net negative for our school? Alexzandra Ndoci, a 9th grade student, felt that “it would have a positive impact on the school, but it could also potentially cause some safety concerns.” She continued, citing whether or not the positives outweigh the negatives: “Yes, I do believe that the positive outweighs the negative, because it would give more freedom to the students and provide more space for the student body. It also, kind of, previews college for students.”
When asked if the open campus policy is causing contention in the school, or is it not as problematic as it is being perceived, Yahaira Tovar, an 11th grade student, replied: “No, I think it’s been blown out of proportion, there is not as much fight as perceived. I think we all have pretty much the same opinion on the matter with only a few varying differences depending on how long you have been here and whether or not you are a student or a staff member.”
So, what is actually happening and where are we on this issue?
Well, I talked with some of our student council members and this the information I gathered:
- Our superintendent has had this idea proposed to her before, but is acting on it now because of the large number of students backing the idea.
- Research into the legality of this situation is being pursued by administrators.
- We will likely get our answer about this proposal sometime next school year, it is unlikely that something like this will happen quickly.
With the large number of changes happening to the schedule next year, this may just be one more change to get used to for everyone, or it may be an issue that is more complicated and problematic than it may seem. In the coming months, we will see where administration lands on the issue.