School administrators have decided to lock the main building during lunch for at least the first few months of schools, causing many problems for students looking for spots to eat lunch and trying to meet with teachers or clubs.

This policy is new from years past, when administrors closed the main building only after trash in the hallways became a problem.

Students now have to get to their lockers or a classroom within the first five minutes of lunch before the building is locked.

This creates a problem for many students, who must rush to get to their lockers before the bell rings once lunch is over. The main building is generally re-opened once the warning bell rings with five minutes left in the lunch period.

“I think it’s an inconvenience to students,” said junior Ashley Franza.

But it appears administrators will be more lenient with this rule when it rains.

Last year administrators seemed reluctant to allow students to take cover in the main building, even if it was raining.

But during the past few weeks when it has rained, administrators have actually allowed students in to the main building at lunch.

During recent storms last month, administrators were willing to allow the building to be unlocked. Students sitting in the building during lunch saw custodians patrolling the halls asking all students to keep the floors clean and  throw away the garbage from their lunches.

Many students are forced to sit on the ground in the back parking lot by the World Language building and commons during lunch. This is because of the decreased amount of space available during lunch. If the main building were to be open it would increase space for students.

Many students are not happy with the decision administrators have made.

“There are only so many areas to eat lunch at and battling over a table or a spot on the ground doesn’t end well,” said Franza, who, nonetheless admitted she understood why administrors made this decision.

“It’s always a mess inside after lunch,” Franza said.

Other students weren’t so understanding.

“It really irritates me because our school is so insanely overpopulated that we’re forced to sit on the ground during lunch,” said sophomore Ashley Mae. “It’s crazy because all of us are being punished for a few kids mistakes.”

The general consensus is that students wish the main building would be unlocked during lunch.

Some Cal teachers support  keeping the main building locked when the weather is nice.

“I think it would be better to kick students out of the main building anyways, so there aren’t students just walking around,” said Calculus teacher Jean Dillman. “The floors are cleaner too.”