If we’re being honest, most, if not all, change is perceived as bad. Change for the good or worse often seems like a departure from a way of life we get used to, and change can feel like it’s attacking our way of living. What I want to do is look at the new policies implemented at EGR this year and actually assess: is this for the good or the worse of the student body?

One of the most confusing policies that seems to have changed every year I’ve been at the High School is the attendance policy. Last year’s allowed absences were 10 per class, but with the new policy, it has shrunk to 8. While that may seem manageable, it also comes in tandem with brand-new trip forms. These forms are required to be filled out if you will be absent due to a trip, and if you don’t submit a minimum of 5 days before you leave, you will be given unexcused absences and 0 percent on all assignments given while away.

To be frank, this is anxiety-fueling. With all of the days I missed last year for clubs, appointments, and school business, I racked up 8 absences in a lot of my classes. Now, if I forget to fill out a trip form, the odds of receiving a punishment are far higher. I don’t think this new policy will actually change anyone’s attendance habits, but it will cause a lot of anxiety for students with busy schedules.
One of the most controversial changes has been the requirement of phone caddies in every classroom. I’ll let Ava go more in-depth, but to sum up my view, I think that if phones are truly a distraction in class, then teachers can require the phone caddy, which was the policy last year.

Last year, there were rumors of hall passes being required, but it never happened until this year. While every teacher has one, they aren’t required to use them yet. While they aren’t required, we may find ourselves in a similar situation to the phone policy, where phone caddies weren’t required but now are. Personally, I don’t think they really do anything. We don’t have hall monitors, and teachers are already responsible for where students are during class.

Another change that has been cause for concern is a new club form. After taking two weeks to be released, which caused many start-of-the-year clubs to face delays, many students were surprised to find a 4-page packet. This year, every club is required to write a “constitution,” which is nearly an identical copy of the template. Because of this new requirement, all existing clubs have had to fill out the form as well. The fact of having to write a constitution in tandem with the lengthy requirements that need to be met within it has turned the application process from a quick “to-do” into a lengthy writing session.

Additionally, because of the new constitution, clubs can’t be approved until October 15 at a minimum. This is super frustrating for clubs trying to break new ground this year, and it asks the question: why? Most of the constitutions are going to be VERY similar due to the requirements. Because of the similarity and lengthy application process that ensues, why not just get rid of the constitution and say, “these are the expectations; your club cannot be active if they are not met.” This would give agency back to students who want to make an impactful and swift difference in the school environment.

I understand why we have a new attendance policy, it was explained that we are implementing it to align with Michigan’s standard attendance policy. I also understand why we have a new phone policy as schools are racing to combat the presence of AI in schools. But even though I understand a few of the changes, it doesn’t mean I have to be happy about them. What difference will these policies make? We’ll see, but for now, I don’t think it’s going to make any of our educations any better, just more complicated.