A student patiently waited in the lunch line, their stomach growling in anticipation of a much-needed meal. However, their patience was tested when a seemingly oblivious individual nonchalantly slipped into the line just ahead of them. This occurrence has been discussed in assemblies and listed in the student newsletter. Two line stanchions and signs were supposed to be the solution, but over halfway through the year, the problem of line budging has yet to be solved. The Committee for Community Conduct (C3) is working on ways to reduce the stress and disrespect of peers inherent in the current lunch line.

Junior Alba Markowitz, who regularly budges in line, said, “I like to have ample time to enjoy my meal and socialize with my friends outside of class.” She said many other people also feel the same way and try to find friends within the lunch line.

Despite polite reminders from staff and other peers, many students are cut in the lunch line. C3 members have begun brainstorming for solutions to this problem.

C3 member Charlotte Goings said that some ideas include adding music to make the line more fun, setting up more barriers to make budging more difficult, and posting a menu of the hot bar and salad bar items back in the hall “so people know if they don’t want to wait in line,” Goings said.

Along with possible adjustments, C3 has been working on initiating conversations with students who are budging. C3 member Andy Allen said, “While we are trying to fix the root of the problem (one line causing a longer wait), we are having discussions about how to have students wait their turn in line.”

“The US (Upper School) administration is not entirely aware of there only being one lunch line, instead of the two that we have been accustomed to. That has caused increased wait times and inclined many students to budge,” Allen said.

C3 continues to work on the problem. “Because so many students engage in line cutting, it’s a complex issue that we do not have a concrete solution to yet,” Allen said.

C3 is asking for patience while they continue to find solutions to the lunch line budging issue.