A new bathroom policy has raised eyebrows among students and staff. This semester, color-coded lanyards for bathroom use were introduced. It’s a move designed to reduce hallway traffic, maintain order and reduce student distractions during class hours.

The new policy assigns a different color-coded lanyard to each bathroom, and students must wear the corresponding lanyard while using them. 

Other campuses such as Harmon and Killough have implemented similar systems to address the same concerns.

Assistant principal Lanele Lindsey said the decision to implement the lanyard system was made by the campus after careful consideration. He believes the system helps keep students focused on their work. 

“We noticed students were wandering the halls too much, and bathroom breaks were often being used as a reason to linger and disrupt the flow of class,” Lindsey said. “We wanted to focus on specific areas and ensure students aren’t using the restrooms as an excuse to avoid class.”

AP U.S. history and psychology teacher Ryan Hamilton finds that the policy could’ve been avoided if students made the right choices.

“I find it frustratingly necessary,” Hamilton said. “Teachers don’t exactly want to enforce it, but even when we expect students to behave like adults, they can’t always handle it. This system helps keep things in check.”

Meanwhile, the response has been varied among students. Junior Victoria Bush said she doesn’t feel strongly about the new rules.

“You should just go to the bathroom, use it, and go back to class,” Bush said. “There shouldn’t be a need for wandering unless there’s a problem with the restroom, like it being full or messy.”

For next year, students have expressed desires for improvements in cleanliness. Junior Vy Nguyen wished cleaning duties or etiquettes were taught, such as in Japan and South Korea.

“It’s a bit limiting,” Nguyen said. “I just hope the bathrooms will be cleaner. Maybe they could put up posters on how to clean up after yourself.”