By: Oliver Musters and Jesus Mirabal

   Within the MRHS community, the Commons have served as a gathering place for students to relax, socialize or do work. On May 20th, the Commons became unavailable to students during all lunch shifts. Particularly due to the Ping Pong tables in the area, many consider the Commons crucial to the lunch experience. There is considerable controversy surrounding the new policy, which will undoubtedly impact how students spend their lunchtime. 

   Administrators claim the cause of the ban is the prevalence of littering within the Commons. 

   “Students have been leaving trash, food, cans and garbage all around the Commons. It has been a real mess, and so we are keeping all the food and extra materials inside the cafeteria,” Principal DiPaula explained. 

   With respect to an incidental benefit of the ban, Principal DiPaula added, ” Once everyone is in the cafeteria, if someone tries to come in late, we can recognize whether or not they belong.”

   However, the rule change was met with a variety of student complaints. For instance, some students believe the ban is unfair and creates more problems than it solves. 

   “There isn’t much of a reason for us not to be allowed in the Commons because now it just crams everybody into the lunch room and there…[were]… only a few bad actors… [who]…left the Commons and made that rule happen,“ junior Nathaniel Silverston vocalized.

   In addition, since the Commons closed off, Ping Pong during lunch was discontinued. Ping Pong impacted the school by encouraging social engagement, physical activity, relaxation and healthy competition. Also, it served as an integral aspect of the lunch experience.

   “We can’t play Ping Pong…I like playing Ping Pong, and they took that away…I didn’t see…[any]…reason for them to take that away,” junior Saad Khaja protested.

   Another effect of the policy is that it could change students’ social routines, as those accustomed to spending time with their friends in the Commons are now obligated to adjust to the noisy cafeteria

   “[The Commons policy]…is annoying because…[the Commons]…is a good place to chill with your friends and not be in the loud lunchroom the entire time,” junior Nico Musters contended.

   Whereas most students disapproved of the policy, the janitors appreciated the policy as it made their job substantially easier.  

   “I love..[the new policy]… because everything is in the cafeteria where it should be,” custodian Woody Nicholson affirmed.

   As a result of the undeniable mess in the Commons, students are no longer allowed to occupy the area. Regardless of this prohibition’s largely unfavorable reception, the Commons are likely to be closed off for the foreseeable future. Although the restriction might not be permanent, the MRHS administrators implemented it to minimize student waste, and only time will tell if their mission is carried out. Hopefully, the MRHS community will do everything in their power to keep the school cleaner as a whole.