By: Tyler Solomon and Artem Dolgushev

   A new policy aimed at vaping in school bathrooms at Marriotts Ridge has sparked a debate, introducing a controversial approach where students present in a bathroom  where vaping is detected. Students may face disciplinary action regardless of their personal involvement in the act. 

   The reception of this policy varies throughout the school. For many, this policy is seen as a necessary change to combat the quickly deteriorating state of the bathrooms. Many students are heavily inconvenienced by the constant presence of smoke and trash and the constant closure of bathrooms. Many students have expressed frustration over the fact that  they are unable to use the restrooms due to the bathrooms being closed or unkempt. Vaping’s prevalence has led many students to accept and even welcome the new policy. However, a segment of the student body questions whether the ongoing implementation of collective punishment policies is fair.

   “I feel that the five minute rule, phone policy, and the new vape policy all punish everybody for the actions of a small group of students,” senior Kip Khaja-Phillips commented.

   Additionally, some students dislike the invasive nature of the new enforcement, as administration sweeps bathrooms to catch any violators.

     While the policy to prevent vaping is generally supported by the student body, as they result in more pleasant, clean, and accessible bathrooms, some students are worried about how the policy will affect them regardless of whether they vape or not, concerned about getting caught up in a bathroom search.

   “I think the policy is good because I want to use clean bathrooms, but I don’t want to accidentally get in trouble,” freshman Hrishikesh Raghunath said.

   Some students want the administration to consider other options for preventing vaping, as the current policy to some seems overly harsh and invasive.

       However, administration claims this policy is only meant to target a small group of students, rather than to inconvenience the entire student body. Most students follow the rule, and administrators are ensuring students that this policy is an overall positive.

“We’re trying to help out the average student, ninety eight percent of students don’t want smoke in the bathrooms,” stated Dr. Vandenberge, the vice principal. 

   Alternatively, the administration is exploring more preventative measures to discourage students from vaping in the first place, which would eliminate the need for harsh policies in general. 

   “We’re looking into smoke detectors and other solutions,” Mr. Vandenberge commented.

  For many students, this would be convenient, as it would ensure clean and available bathrooms, while avoiding direct confrontation or invasive bathroom searches.

   Ultimately, the policy aims to eliminate vaping entirely from school bathrooms and ensure a clean and safe environment. While the policy may result in some people being unnecessarily caught up in a search, the administration insists that the policy is in the best interests of the students