Newly implemented locker policy creates mixed reactions

Examining the bright yellow activities form he received in early August, junior Aria Hooman noticed spaces to fill in the number of locks he would need and the total cost of those locks. 

At first, he thought that these school-dealt locks were optional; however, at schedule pick-up day, he realized that he would have to pay the mandatory fee of $7 for a new lock if he wanted to use a locker.

In previous years, many students needed locks cut off because students forgot their combinations and left locks on their lockers after the school year ended. This year, the school decided to provide locks with keyholes, attendance secretary Julia Peck said. The office holds the key in case of any emergencies.

Hooman said he is not fond of the new locker policy because it forces all students to pay for a punishment only a few students caused.

“This policy is pretty much pointless,” Hooman said. “Instead, there should be a monetary punishment [for getting your lock cut off.]”

According to Peck, the office now also has combinations to every lock in the school. That way, students who forget their combo can simply go down to the office to check instead of having their locks cut off.

Peck said that students only need to buy a lock if they would like to use a locker. Additionally, the lock can be used for all four years of school and passed on to younger siblings or friends.  

“We haven’t, as of yet, cut off any [store-bought] locks,” Peck added. “Hopefully everyone understands and follows our new policy.”

Some students, like freshman Chester Leung, have no issue with the new locks.

“I don’t really mind,” Leung said. “It saves you the trouble of having to go out and get your own lock.”

Other students, like sophomore Adrienne Kim, are not happy with the new policy. 

“I think if they are for sure keeping this policy for next year, [the school] should let [the students] choose a lock color, something that will make [our] lockers unique,” Kim said.

Similar to Kim, junior Cassidy Crichton feels that the policy restricts individuality.

“It’s a hassle to know which locker is which because you can become easily confused by identical locks,” Crichton said.

However, Crichton believes that the policy is reasonable, “considering all that the school has to provide, [like] paper and such.” 

“It is just a bit of a hassle,” Crichton said, “because now there's a lock at home [that] has no use.”