Walking toward the library from the swimming pool, most students spot a temptingly low roof — alongside a sign that warns in blaring, block letters: “No climbing on roof.”
That sign is an indication of a problem that has plagued the school since its founding in 1959: Over the years, students have sometimes climbed on the rooftops of the mostly one-story buildings that make up most of the campus, endangering themselves and valuable equipment.
According to assistant principal Matthew Torrens, the equipment provides power, gas and other utilities; repairing damaged components is costly and inconvenient.
“We’ve had air conditioning and heating get messed up in the classrooms because of kids knocking over equipment while they’re up on the roof,” Torrens said.
Not only does climbing on the roof risk damaging these systems, but there are also several obstacles that endanger students. Since there are many pipes on the roof, students can easily trip when walking backwards or not paying attention.
Because of these hazards, some places typically used by students to access the roof have been altered to discourage the action in recent years.
For example, during the pandemic, students climbed on the roof back by the engineering quad. In order to get up to the roof, they would open the lockers under the roof and scale them. As a result, those lockers have been removed, Torrens said.
He warns that climbing on the roof is considered trespassing, and the sheriff’s department is usually brought in to deal with those who are caught.
He also pointed out that several on-campus security cameras are recording footage throughout the day and night and can help authorities catch offenders.
During the pandemic, there was an influx of roof climbing cases. This may have been because of lower staffing levels and the perception that the school was unguarded. Torrens also speculates that during that time, students felt like they had nothing better to do and messed around to entertain themselves.
Still, whatever their motivation for climbing on the roof, he had a stern warning for offenders: “There are many other alternatives than going on the roof. Go ride a bike. Go on Instagram to some cool places in the Bay Area, like the lock fence. Go to the Golden Gate Bridge. There’s so many other fun things to do other than climbing on the roof.”
