New Marquette Policies Have Students Outraged

It is no secret that Marquette students are known for being tardy or just not showing up, but are these policies too harsh? MCHS Faculty has decided to implement a new tardy and phone policy. The tardy policy is as stated: 

Progressive Consequences:

Tardies will accumulate each semester and result in the following consequences:

• 5 Tardies: After-school detention.

• 10 Tardies: One day of In-School Suspension (ISS).

• 11 or More Tardies: A parent must physically sign the student into school for each additional tardy. If a parent is unable to do so, the student will serve ISS for the day.

Students have mixed feelings about this new change. I interviewed a frequent tardy student, Daniel Misuraca, to get his views on the change. 

Q: Will this benefit you?

A: I think so, I think it will make me get here on time.

Q: What’s your overall feelings on the tardy policy?

A: I don’t think it’s bad, but I think the parent thing is stupid.

Q: How often were you tardy?

A: At least twice a week, give or take

Q: Did being tardy affect your GPA?

A: Being tardy and absent affected my GPA heavily. I do regret it (not showing up). Very much.

Then I asked Mr. Harmon about the new restroom policy. 

Q: Is two minutes enough time to use the restroom?

A: If it’s enough for me, it’s enough for you.

All students agree that two minutes at the beginning of class is not enough time. They claim you have 7 minutes, but 5 of that is getting to your locker through a crowded hall, going up or down flights of stairs, going from building to building then getting what you need, then repeat the process going to your class. But even then you must check in with your teacher before using the restroom, so really it is just two minutes. 

Teachers also agree that this has been more of a distraction to the beginning and end of their teaching, rather than letting students out freely. Not only does this make the students feel like they aren’t trusted and are being treated like children, but it can make the teachers feel almost the same way. On the other hand, the phone policy could be seen as “the better policy”.

The phone policy is as states:

Policy Overview:

• Students must place their cell phone in their assigned phone pocket or the Main Office upon

arrival to first hour.

• Phones must remain secured until the end of the instructional day.

The phone policy has been an ongoing conflict for the school and school board. Every year the policy has some change or tweak in it. This new change can be a good thing not just for teachers and staff, but also for students. While it does suck not having a weight in your pocket that you check the time on, this new policy encourages conversations with each other, especially at lunch and in advisory. Overall, it is designed to keep the student body as one union. I asked Mr. Harmon about the new phone policies to get a deeper insight as to why it was implemented.  

Q: Why not use YNDER pouches (A pouch that locks with your phone in it)?

A:It was recommended that we don’t implement them. The cost would go on the families and we don’t want to do that to you guys.

Q: Why not allow phones at lunch at least?

A: If the rest of the state does it, we do it too. 

I also asked Dan’s opinion on the matter.

Q: Is the phone policy beneficial?

A: No. I hate it. We should be able to have our phones as seniors since we are pretty much 18. 

So far, it seems the general consensus is that students do not like the new policies, especially the new tardy policies. Further down the school year, I believe teachers will become more lenient towards tardies and bathroom breaks until it’s eventually phased out next year because parents are complaining about coming up to sign their child in. Until then, the student body must abide by the policies, but still make their voices heard.