By: Oliver Musters and Sai Velamala

 A center for socialization and relaxation, the commons have always been a vital aspect of the MRHS school experience. However, due to students making a mess in the commons and vandalizing the nearby bathrooms, the area was closed on May 20th—a decision that had caused significant complaints. Even several months after implementation, the ban has maintained a steady level of controversy among MRHS staff and students.

   Administrators have indicated they could eventually remove the ban given appropriate circumstances, yet they have doubts about how students might behave upon the ban’s removal.

   “Maybe, if students do a great job keeping the cafeteria and the outside clean over the next month or two, we might consider some time back in the commons,” principal Dr. DiPaula conveyed, “If we were to open [the commons] and then students left trash all over the commons again and didn’t respect the area or clean up after themselves, we would shut it back down.”

   Fortunately, administrators have thus far observed a positive change in students’ behavior. 

   “We are seeing fewer students roaming the halls during lunch shifts, and fewer students in the bathrooms where they’re not supposed to be…There’s been less trash left around the building, especially in the commons area, so in terms of student behavior, I’d say we’re able to manage [the students] better because they’re in only two locations instead of multiple,” assistant principal Mrs. Cherry proclaimed.  

   Many students hope for the return of the commons and recognize that doing so may require further rule modifications.

   “They should probably open up the commons, but at least have a lot more limitations on it, so that way there’s less trash. [They should] have more teachers [who] would actually pay attention to make sure no students are eating in the commons. As long as they put in more [limitations], they could really open up the commons again,” senior Ansh Gevaria stated.  

   The majority of students take issue with the commons’ blockage because it encloses them in the cafeteria’s recreational space. Consequently, the cafeteria has started to feel congested. For some, this factor dramatically impacts the quality of the lunch experience.   

   “There are a lot of people all crammed up in the cafeteria. There is not a lot of space, so I think everyone is cooped up together. The commons being open allows space for everyone to hang out instead of being crammed together,” senior Seif Tourky remarked. 

   The MRHS community may still be divided over the commons policy, but the role of student behavior in potentially overturning the policy cannot be denied. Though students might never redeem the privilege to occupy the commons, they ought to do their part to increase their likelihood of accessing the area. Likewise, students should always treat the school’s environment and facilities kindly, particularly by cleaning up after themselves and following rules.