With St. Charles’ recent bathroom pass controversy, Geneva students investigate their own policy to ensure maximum student rights. While some students and faculty find aspects of pass regulations inappropriate for educational needs, others deem it necessary for character-building.

Last month in St. Charles, the discovery of Wredling Middle School’s limit of three quarterly bathroom passes sparked public outrage. The incident has illuminated the problem for neighboring schools as well, causing administration at GHS to reevaluate bathroom rights for students.

Olga Pietila, a senior and Finnish exchange student at Geneva High School, is in an English class that permits two passes per semester. She believes there should not be a limitation inflicted on those who must be excused.

“If they have to go, they have to go,” Olga said of students requesting to use the bathroom. “They can’t concentrate.”

Contrary to student belief, concentration during class is a primary concern of teachers who employ limited passes. Science teacher Mr. Lesatz notices a significant difference in how students focus when made to wait until after class for bathroom use. Monitoring passes has been the most effective way for him to ensure that students don’t abuse restroom allowances.

“When you give students the option, going to the bathroom becomes more of an habitual thing than a need,” Lesatz said.

Responsibility has been left largely to teachers to determine the appropriate amount of passes for their students. Especially in classes that have a history of ill-behaved pass users, teachers frequently opt for less hallway freedom. Although abuse of bathroom time isn’t frequent, Dean Kelly recalls a handful of incidents when kids took advantage of leaving the classroom

Bathroom pass extra credit/Photo by Skylar Moore

“There have been some students who, in an unsupervised setting, have been disruptive to other classrooms, whether they’re banging on classroom windows [or] hollering at their friends,” Kelly said. “We’ve had to tell teachers, ‘Please do not allow them out of your class.’”

While many members of GHS administration find such limitations necessary, some students find them in conflict with their basic rights. One policy in particular, in which Geneva teachers allow students to exchange their bathroom passes for extra credit points, struck a chord with sophomore Halle Moore.

“Why should we [students] have a limit on something that everyone has to do?” Halle said, shaking her head in frustration.

In addition, policy has been criticized for overestimating time for bathroom use during passing periods. Students, particularly those with classes distant from each other, have found themselves struggling to utilize the five minutes between classes for essential bodily functions.

“You just have time to go to class, not to the bathroom.” Olga said.

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GHS bathroom/Photo by Skylar Moore

Geneva administration isn’t making any immediate adjustments to pass regulations at this time, obligating students to find alternative opportunities to use the bathroom. However, Dean Kelly acknowledges the needs of students, and has reported the administration’s efforts towards improved policy.

“There is the argument that [extra credit] points should be attached only to the academic,” Kelly said. “The issue of passes being tied to extra credit, and really the subject of extra credit in general, is going to be examined by the assessment committee throughout the school year.”

Despite rumbles of discontent throughout the school halls, pass limitations don’t appear to be a big problem at Geneva. Olga hasn’t run out of passes yet, and Halle is fortunate to have time for bathroom use during lunch. While some may view them as demeaning, Mr. Lesatz sees his bathroom restrictions as means for working towards maturity.

“I’m not rewarding students for not going to the bathroom,” he said concerning the passes exchanged for extra credit, “I’m rewarding them for time management and responsibility. And if students need a two-point pass to motivate them, then so be it.”