New MO Regulations Incur Mixed Opinions

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Elizabeth Hu '21 and Rachel Thomas '21

This year a new rule has been established pertaining to MOs. Unlike under last year’s MO policy, which allowed multiple missed obligations per term, this year students are allowed only two MOs for the entire year before they are given in-school suspension and a letter home. This is a drastic change in policy that occured over the summer and is a particularly difficult shift for upperclassmen. Campus is buzzing with various opinions on this new regulation from both faculty and students.

“I understand the reasoning for the new MO rule, but it is now very extreme and if a person misses an obligation in the first week of school, they will have to go without getting a missed obligation for the rest of the school year, which may be really hard for people with a busy schedule and large workload–many students at Peddie,” said Paige Pakenas ’21. Some people share the same opinion as Pakenas, finding the new regulation too strict. Many of the upperclassmen are experiencing increased stress as a result of the new rule.  One senior, who wished to remain anonymous, explained how she woke up in the morning and was running late. “I literally woke up in the morning and got a panic attack,” she said. Seniors are frantically trying to fill and send out their college applications, and the new MO rule is causing some of them to panic and fear the repercussions of not getting to class on time.

Others, however, believe that the new rule is a positive adjustment.

“I think it’s good because people won’t skip class anymore,” explained an anonymous sophomore. Faculty also have their own say on the new policy. Spanish teacher and dormitory supervisor Marisa Parra believes that the new MO rule teaches students about punctuality and time management.“So, say it loud, say it proud: ‘I am not getting an MO this year.  I’m flexing that muscle until it becomes second nature and I never have to struggle with this again’. Be proud of your punctuality. Practice it until punctual becomes one of the adjectives that will describe you,” she said.  

Others, meanwhile, are indifferent to the current rule.  “I do not have an issue with the new rule. I always aim to get to class on time. In that way I suppose it doesn’t really affect me,” said Bhanu Cheepurupalli ’21. Tom Han ’20 concurs with Cheepurupalli. “I really don’t care. I always get to class early,” said Han. For some, punctuality has never been an issue. Many have gone years with only one or two MO’s.