Charlotte Feller

Bathroom policies are unfair and need to be changed or eliminated.

At BSM, going to the bathroom is controversial. Teachers have different bathroom policies that restrict students’ use of the restroom. These policies need to be looked at and either changed or eliminated completely.

Many teachers tell their students to use the bathroom during passing time, but often that isn’t possible. For example, there’s no time for us to go to the bathroom and also our lockers. Both of our lockers, as well as many other sophomores’ lockers, are in the lunchroom. This means if either of us has to go to our locker in between classes, we don’t have time to do anything else because we’re already running to make sure we get to class on time. Therefore, if we also have to use the restroom, we need to go at some point during a class.

This is hard, though, because we don’t like missing class. We’re often learning something important and being gone for less than five minutes can interfere with what we’re learning. Furthermore, if everyone’s using the bathroom during passing time, there will be lines. And then not everyone will be able to go, and someone will be late to class. However, if we need to go, we’ll use the bathroom during class—most of the time. The problem starts with some teachers’ policies regarding students’ use of the bathroom.

One policy some students will experience at BSM is a limited number of passes you can use to go to the restroom per semester. If left unused, the passes may be used to fix a bad quiz grade, which benefits students’ grades.

Students are then left with the choice between fixing a nasty grade and allowing them to thrive in class or choosing to use the restroom instead, giving up the opportunity. It is unfair for the students to have to make the tough choice. This doesn’t make sense—why should you get extra credit for not using the bathroom?

Another bathroom policy concerns the number of students let out of the room per class period. Some teachers restrict the number of students let out of the room because they don’t want anyone to abuse the pass. For instance, a teacher may not want a student to go to the cafeteria to get food or wander around the hallways when they ask to use the restroom.

The teacher might say, “Save the passes for those who actually need to use the bathroom!” However, if more students need to use the bathroom than the number a teacher allows out of a class, it’s problematic. The teacher might count the student absent or tardy because they’re not allowed to leave the room anymore—according to the teacher’s policy.

This creates problems for students who need to use the bathroom when their classmates may be just wandering about the halls. We think that the students who wander about the halls only impact their own learning, and other students shouldn’t be affected by those who don’t use their class time well.

It’s more than unfair to tie bodily functions to grades. The two things have absolutely nothing in common. It’s possible this policy was created to keep students in class, without thinking about the repercussions students would face. We understand that it’s important to stay in class, but we think the students should make sure they’re in class, instead of the teachers. As a college preparatory school, BSM should let students handle these matters on their own. In college, the teacher isn’t going to make sure you’re in class; you’re responsible for your learning. Students need to learn how to deal with the consequences of their actions on their own.

This type of policy is also discriminatory toward people with different bodily functions. People who menstruate might need to use the restroom more often to prevent things such as toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Also, people with stomach issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) shouldn’t have to worry about not being able to leave class to take care of their issues.

These policies can also create unnecessary stress, even if you know you might not be impacted. It will always be on your mind, and this can distract you from learning in class and also impact other school work. You also have to worry about finding a time to use the restroom which can be stressful in and of itself.

Overall, we believe that using the bathroom should be kept separate from academics and that teachers should trust their students to do what they are supposed to. If a student abuses a pass, then that is the student’s fault and it will impact their grade. Other students’ actions shouldn’t interfere with your grade. BSM’s bathroom policies are simply unfair and need to be changed immediately.