As a natural reaction to being in a situation that they are overwhelmed to be in, people tend to overreact and show false stances of authority. I feel this is exactly the situation that the Residence Life Administration of our esteemed GSSM is in, and that this year's crackdown on rules is a natural byproduct of this fear. Because Res Life is composed of people who were unable to attend the GSSM and consequently cannot understand the mindset of a gifted teenager, they feel overwhelmed.

Because of this fear, they respond with a crackdown on petty rules (Lights Out, Room Check, etc.) that force us to be submitted to "their" control. This control forces the student body to be preoccupied with maintaining pointless rules (made for our 'protection') instead of focusing on the school's academic mission. There is only one solution to this problem, but it is almost impossible.

All RLC's and DSS's should have been required to have attended a residental academic high school, as a student before working at the GSSM. If this occurs, then the RES Life will understand our student mindset, and realize the stupidity of many of our rules. However, I warn this process must be used with caution-one member of the guidance staff has an impressive education and could have been a student here. However, do we want her to be in a position over us? It is time for the student body to act as a unified force against the stupidity of the handbook over its petty rules, in order to provide a future environment where students care more about studying than fearing the stupid rules levied upon them.