Hoping to affect change in an unpopular school rule, many Cathedral Catholic High School students are grumbling about the school library policy that states cell phones may not be used in the library after school hours, including texting.

“It isn’t up to us [library supervisors],” Ms. Marianne Goyette, the afternoon supervisor, said. “We are obligated to follow school policy. If a student is using their cell phone, we must ask them to put it away or confiscate it.”

Most students who use the library regularly are familiar with the rule, but they are not pleased. A recent survey of 100 students in the library revealed that a whopping 88 percent feel the rule should be abolished, thus giving students access to their cell phones after school. A common question asked is why students are allowed access to their phones on campus before and after school, but never in the library?

During the past few years, the library has been transitioning into a student center, removing some books from the shelves and providing students with couches. While this renovation has been appreciated generally by students, fewer students are taking the opportunity to use the space due to the cell phone policy.

“If I could use my phone, I definitely think I would go into the library,” junior Jordan Demers said.

A good portion of the student body avoids the library, staying outside instead, giving up comfortable seating or air conditioning just so they can use their cell phones on campus.

“The rule was implemented years ago by previous deans,” Assistant Principal Ms. Margaret Mauro said. “Yet the policy remains current as phones have greater capabilities than in those times. If anything, they have become even more of a distraction.”

In comparison to other local, private high schools, CCHS is one of the only high schools with this policy. The Academy of Our Lady of Peace, Mater Dei Catholic High School, and even CCHS rival, St. Augustine High School, all allow students to use their cell phones anywhere before and after school, libraries included.

A common complaint held by students is that the rule keeps them from contacting their parents.
       
“Once my friend Dominic left his mom waiting for over an hour since he didn’t see her texts as she came to pick him up,” sophomore Linna Luna-Bravo said. “I thought it was [funny] that his mom was upset, but if he could’ve simply left his phone on the table that wouldn’t have happened.”

Talking on the phone can be disturbing to others trying to study, but many students argue  texting is silent and thus should be tolerable. However, administration proposes a simple solution for this concern.

“An easy solution for students is to just hold their telephone conversations outside,” Ms. Mauro said. “They also can check their phones in their backpacks from time to time in the library to see if they have any important texts.”

Currently, the policy is not expected to shift despite student request.