Students at Williston Northampton have had mixed emotions surrounding recent changes to the handbook.
At a recent assembly on September 9, Dean Of Students David Koritkoski gathered students to announce changes to the school’s handbook for the 2024-25 academic year. Throughout the meeting there were lots of cheers when it was heard that restrictions on DoorDash and Uber Eats would be lifted.
But there were also some looks of disapproval when a stricter phone policy, stating that students must place phones in a “phone tree” in each classroom, was mentioned.
The new phone policy states that as students are entering a classroom, they must put phones in a designated carrier attached to the wall in each room. The rules addressing phone usage in the dining hall and chapel will remain the same, which means students are not able to use phones in either of these spaces.
Gab Qureshi, a senior boarder from Quebec, believes the new phone policy could benefit his educational experience, because it eliminates a large distraction. Just having his phone in his pocket can sometimes provide a distraction, he admitted, so it is easier for him to learn if it is away.
Sokichi Sullivan a senior boarder from Naples, believes the new rule is unnecessary, as it should be up to students to choose to stay focused in class.
“The decision to succumb to distraction will be my choice, and the consequences will happen naturally,” Sokichi said. Among students’ concerns over the change is the fact that some teachers may enforce the policy more strictly than others, which some believe could impact the effectiveness of the rule.
Gab also applauds the school’s decision to allow DoorDash and Uber Eats, as he believes it gives students more freedom. Similarly, Casey Connor, a junior boarder from Chatham, N.J., is excited about the new DoorDash policy.
“It is such a relief to have more options,” he said. “In the past students have had limited options when looking to order food, now with this new policy the options are almost endless. So far students in Mem West [Memorial Hall West] have been ordering from Chipotle, McDonalds, Friendly’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s.”
Door Dash has become an American phenomenon in recent years, but the company was started in 2013 by Stanford Graduate and, Palo Alto, Calif. resident Tony Xu. As of 2024, DoorDash is more popular than ever and is worth an Estimated $53 million.
