Students have been banned from eating and drinking in the main building since Oct. 28 because of the growing trash problem at lunch.

This new policy, which has been enacted in the past, is once again frustrating students.

“The campus is too crowded,” said senior Cory Schumacher. “There wouldn’t be such a huge mess if [administrators] left the campus open for seniors.”

With a closed campus this year, students have noticed an increase in crowding of both the commons and main building.

But assistant principal Bob Spain disagrees.

“Even with the closed campus rule being enforced, I personally haven’t seen a crowding issue on campus,” said Spain. “For now, we are only enforcing the no-eating rule in the main building.”

Spain hopes students learn from this experience and clean up their act.

“If the issue gets worse, we might have to take further action,” Spain said. “Personally, I hope not. I would like to see students be able to do what they want during lunch.”

Some students feel other actions could be taken.

“I don’t know why a teacher can’t just walk around and make sure people pick up their trash,” said junior Brooke Campbell. “Instead of complaining about it they should act upon it in a better way then shutting it down entirely.”

Many students ate in the main building to keep warm or cool, or to avoid the rain. They believe closing the building will create even more problems now that the rainy season is here.

“A lot of people will be mad,” said sophomore Kimberlee Saxer. “What are the administrators going to do when it rains or when it gets too hot outside?”

Administrators realize protection from the weather is a valid concern and plan to make adjustments for such issues.

“When the time comes where it starts raining during lunch, the Event Center will be opened for students to gather for lunch,” Spain said.

Many believe one particular group of students caused this new rule to be put in place. Spain said no specific group was responsible for this.

“It did start with the vandalism of the third floor men’s restroom, but now it’s the excessive amount of trash on the first and second floor, which doesn’t really pinpoint to a group of students,” said Spain.

Students wonder if they will be allowed to eat in the main building again this year.

“Once we feel that students can give the common courtesy to throw away their stinking garbage after they’re done eating,” said Spain, “we can open up the main building again to students who want to eat there.”