Last week, many Red Knights, myself included, were distraught after hearing the morning announcements. Along with the typical daily agenda, event reminders, and prayer, students were told that breaking the dress code, having an expired backpack pass, or not having our phones in a “phone hotel” would be routinely checked during class time. Failure to abide by these rules would result in a referral. Although this rule technically isn’t new, its enforcement certainly is. Most teachers don’t seem to mind students keeping their phones during class or breaking any of these so-called “rules,” which is why this newfound enforcement is utterly ridiculous.
I’m sick of feeling like I’m in 5th grade. This past year, BSM has not only added more rules than I can count, but they’ve blocked over 100 websites on our laptops. There have been instances where I’ve had to leave class to go to the technology department, trying to access websites that I need for research because specific words or phrases have been deemed “inappropriate,” and therefore blocked. And now, as if this weren’t enough, the administration has decided to enforce three rules that will undoubtedly disrupt learning time.
The new situation might play out like this: Imagine you’re in class, either taking a test, having a great discussion, or even listening to presentations, when all of a sudden, you hear a voice on the announcements telling you to stop whatever you may be doing for a “check.” From then on, your teacher is instructed to pause whatever they may be doing and ensure that 1. Every phone is put away. 2. No backpack passes are expired, and 3. Every outfit is in accordance with the dress code.
BSM is a college prep school, right? At least, that’s what is plastered throughout every BSM magazine, classroom, and website. If BSM is so confident in its ability to prepare students for college, then they’re in need of a harsh reality check. If there is any college out there that takes time out of their day and valuable learning time by evaluating students’ outfits, please let me know. Newsflash: Professors don’t care what you wear! All of this unwarranted obsessing over what a student is doing during class is redundant and, honestly, weird.
However, most students, including me, definitely acknowledge that BSM is trying their hardest to make for a smooth transition into college. These constant rules undoubtedly show their continuous effort to make students less distracted and more academically centered. Although these rules clearly are well intended, truthfully, they aren’t working.
I can’t help but feel as though I’m always being monitored and, truthfully, set up to fail. By fortifying these rules, BSM is taking their attention away from learning and focusing it on useless rules. Furthermore, this reinforcement also puts teachers in an awkward position. Disrupting class for a “check” creates a hostile environment instead of a safe, curious, and positive one.
All in all, these futile rules need to go.