By DEBBIE WOJAK

In an effort to air students' suggestions and complaints about Maine West, Student Council sponsored the School Improvement Seminar on March 3.

Its purpose was to give the students a chance to express their ideas to the Executive Committee in the hope of improving our school policies.

The Executive Committee consists of Mr. Herman Rider, Mr. Eldon Burk, Mr. James Coburn, Mr. Fred Bencriseutto, Mr. Robert Riek, Mr. Wayne Rosenquist, and Miss Mae Jean Engen. Members of the committee were present throughout the day in L‑102 to meet with any interested students.

I was at the seminar three different periods, and the student response was overwhelming. Each class was represented well, but they all seemed to have the same concerns in mind.

Open campus, a smoking lounge, non‑mandatory study halls, self‑imposed schedules, and disciplinary measures of attendance were the most frequent topics brought into the discussion. It is clear that all of the suggestions involve a great deal of responsibility on the students' parts. And both the administration and the student body would have to take a closer look at their attitudes before we could adjust successfully to any new policies.

But the main reason the students felt that they were entitled to these privileges was because "other schools have them" (referring to District 214.) Common sense will tell you that it isn't the wisest thing to follow the crowd; it may be the easiest, but it is not always the best.

Just because our school policy doesn't coincide with those of the neighboring schools, Maine West students feel they are being cheated out of privileges they deserve. But, as one senior pointed out, did it ever occur to us that all the other schools might be wrong in responding to every student whim when we can learn from their mistakes by observing before we act?

So we're not the first school to change our policies. At least when we do change, we will be able to have a more effective plan that is sure to succeed.

Question: Did you go to the School Improvement Seminar? If not, why not? If so, what do you think it accomplished?

Tom Boltz '71 ‑ I didn't go because I didn't have any time to go to the seminar.

Roy Chapman '74 ‑ Yes. It gave students and teachers a chance to get together and to discuss the problems of our school and possible solutions. I think we should have more of these.

Joe Micelli '72 ‑ Yes. All that was accomplished was the students presenting their point of view, and teachers saying it can't be done or it's not possible.

Mary Brunetti '73 ‑ Yes. Nothing really happened except the students got to tell their views on what they thought.

Bob Grose '74 ‑ I didn't go because it was a waste of time; we wouldn't get half the stuff we asked for anyway.

Ray Heppler '72 ‑ I didn't go because it wouldn't do any good anyway.

Barb Wilson '74 ‑ I didn't go because being allowed to smoke in school wouldn't be considered anyway.

Mary Junkrowski '73 ‑ Yes. They partly saw our side of things, but it didn't really accomplish anything.

Mr. Mendralla ‑ I went but I think the teachers were left out. I think the students and teachers should have a discussion to find out "What is school to you?"

Bill Sanford '71 ‑ No, because when someone comes up with a good idea no one in the administration will listen to them.