Off-campus lunches are one of the most desired privileges of being a Sixth Former. Yet, this privilege could be extended to the Fourth and Fifth Forms.
It’s easier to get lunch off-campus at Haverford than at other schools in the area. Chipotle, Dunkin’ Donuts, Wendy’s, Wawa, Jules Thin Crust Pizza, and Merion Cricket Club are all easily accessible from Wilson Hall.
When trapped in a labyrinth of less-desirable Sodexo meals, students just want to sneak off campus even more, especially Fifth Formers and underclassmen. Every day, several students leave campus in search of food, including Fifth Formers, Fourth Formers, and sometimes even Third Formers. Because the administration is not exactly looking to catch these offenders, it’s relatively easy to get away with it.
One anonymous Fourth Former said, “I’ve left campus at least once a week [for lunch] this whole year. Sometimes three times a week.”
Sixth Form Dean Ms. Brooke Kenna is strongly opposed to any non-Sixth Former leaving campus.
“It really is a privilege meant for seniors. Waiting until your last year makes it that much more enjoyable. Doing it as an underclassman will just make it less enjoyable as a senior.”
Mr. Kenna said, “It’s simply a safety issue. We have to know where you guys are at all times. We allow seniors to do it because they are older and usually more responsible.”
I agree with Ms. Kenna and understand the reasoning behind these rules: it’s a safety issue. The school is responsible for each student’s safety during the school day. How can they ensure our safety if our whereabouts are unknown? This is why the current rules are in place. If Haverford were to allow underclassmen to leave campus, I would suggest that when checking out, they indicate where they are off to.
Because Sixth Formers are mostly eighteen years old, the legal age of majority, only they are allowed to leave campus. That being said, I would argue that being sixteen is old enough to be responsible for your own safety. After all, sixteen and a half years is the age at which the Pennsylvania government allows residents the freedom to freely operate their own vehicles (with a license, of course).
If someone is able to operate their own vehicle, they are more than capable of ensuring their own safety. If someone is capable of ensuring their own safety, they should be able to eat lunch wherever they’d like.
