VOL. XV, NO. 2

S-201 is full. Green passes to the deans' office abound, even with the current paper shortage. The administration is cracking down on tardiness.

Their rationale for this move is reasonable. Teachers are tired of the same people continually drifting in late to homeroom or classes. They feel students must be made aware of the importance of punctuality, for in the "real world" employers will not tolerate chronic tardiness.

But, instead of responsibility, some teachers are only instilling bitterness and hostility in many students. Students who are not in their seats or in the room when the bell rings may have legitimate excuses:

something that they had no control over made them late. There are some faculty members who will accept no excuses.

For those who are unjustly punished, the result is often frustration, anger, and a general prejudice against Maine West. These students can make any teacher's job more difficult.

A small minority of students make things bad for all of us, just as all faculty members become the target of student complaints because of the disciplinary philosophies of a few.

It works both ways.