Student discipline has always been an enigmatic subject. No two situations have been the same, and often times it has been very difficult to discipline students in a way that has curbed the negative behavior. That being said, there is no doubt that the deans at Glenbard South have faced those struggles, but there is also no doubt that many students, parents and staff have been growing more indignant towards the dean’s office and its perceived inequitable practices. When addressing a convoluted issue, such as this one facing Glenbard South, it is imperative that all sides of the issue give their interpretation of the facts and that accountability, for both students and the dean’s office, finally ensues.

Many students and parents, alike, have echoed concerns of unfair treatment, inconsistencies and lack of due process in the dean’s office. Often times, students have reported seeing certain people targeted by the deans office, while on the other hand, they have also seen those with a perceived relationship with the deans get an easier punishment. Concerned students have hoped to see less perceived bias and prejudice in the dean’s office but have maintained it is still rampant in the school.

Another major concern shared by students has been the perceived lack of due process when disciplining students. Some members of the South community, including parents, have expressed that it seems like students are going to be slapped with a punishment regardless of their guilt. Some parents have said that in their experience the dean’s office does not handle situations properly and has been significantly unorganized in many of its larger investigations. In addition, some students have been concerned that the dean’s office has punished students over limited evidence or hearsay. This notion has had some people in the Glenbard South community question if the dean’s office has a set agenda. Also, students have noticed that seemingly small disciplinary issues have often times been blown out of proportion in terms of the severity of consequences.

A number of staff members have also been frustrated with the dean’s office. For them, the issues have differed slightly from the student’s point of view. Teachers have wished that the dean’s office would be more supportive of them, communicate better and be consistent when disciplining students. One thing plenty of staff members have said is that the communication loop between teachers and deans and the follow through of consequences has been very poor, which has left the referring staff member confused as to how the student’s disciplinary situation was handled. Due to this, staff members have expressed that they need more support from the dean’s office, because without that support, rules have become unclear and the enforcement of the student handbook has become very inconsistent.

However, some students and staff have disagreed about the severity of the problem. Often times patience for recidivists, or “frequent flyers” as the dean’s office has said, has grown bleak and members of the South community have had no sympathy for those students who have gotten in trouble. Although many people believe those who have acted out deserved to be punished, the concern over how a certain situation was handled or if the punishments fit the crime has grown. Students have echoed that not every case of discipline is unfair, but there have been many instances of perceived illogical disciplinary decisions.

On the contrary, the dean’s office offers a different narrative to students, staff and parents. Merely acting as the enforcer of district policy, the dean’s office has stated that it operates between the framework of district policy. Refuting the claim that the dean’s office may have a set agenda against certain students, the dean’s office has reiterated that it follows the school board policy and treats students with dignity and respect.

One key element to the dean’s office’s point-of-view is that no two situations are alike, and there are often times numerous variables that go into deciding how a student is punished. In many cases of student discipline, there are a lot of underlying factors that are involved in almost every decision the dean’s office makes. For example, in instances of family hardship, severe illness or other significant personal problems, the dean’s office tends to be more lenient towards a student because of the seriousness of the factors involved.

The dean’s office has also reaffirmed that it does not target students or punish them without evidence. The office has also denied punishing students over hearsay evidence. In addition, the office contends that proof or evidence of a violation needs to be found before a student is punished.

Nate Nixon

In all, the purpose of bringing all sides of the student discipline controversy to the table is to help resolve the issue at hand. There is no doubt that many students, staff and parents have been increasingly frustrated with the dean’s office. But there is also no doubt that the deans have an ambiguous and thankless job. In order to move forward, the dean’s office needs to re-evaluate its practices, come to reality that maybe some mistakes have been made and show students they are trying to be fair. It is also imperative that the dean’s office understands that perceptions are unfortunately a reality, and until they improve their perception, a discernible uneasiness with students, parents and staff will prevail.

To the contrary, the students are not off the hook. Entitlement is plaguing the student body and responsibility for one’s actions needs to be taken. Although the criticism of the dean’s office is typically not unfounded, in order to move forward there needs to be a mutual understanding between both parties. Students need to justly criticize when wrongdoing takes place while also keeping an open mind to the dean’s office’s point-of-view.

Understanding one another’s point-of-view is the only way to move forward. Attacking the messenger and shuffling issues aside, on both the students’ and the dean’s office’s part, will only stir up more acrimony in the school. Glenbard South has the ability to pick itself back up again, but shutting those willing to speak the truth down will never result in mutual respect.

A simple fix in communication can alleviate a lot of issues between students and the administration.