Spring Restrictions In Effect From Home

By Emmanuelle Brindamour, Tucker Gibbs and Anya Tang

The cancellation of an on-campus spring term has disrupted many areas of Exeter life, including the disciplinary response system for students. 

With the constantly unfolding situation that is COVID-19, the Academy has changed many policies with the goal of decreasing both student and parental stress. For the remainder of spring term, the administration has decided to eliminate additional attendance restrictions. However, restrictions will still be in effect for students who received them during winter term.

This change is a marked shift away from punitive discipline. “What we have paused is differentiating between excused and unexcused absences and the resulting punitive response of restrictions,” Dean of Student Health and Well-Being and Attendance Committee chair Gordon Coole said. “Those not reaching three touchpoints will have an interface with the Dean’s Office. Our goal is to not penalize but support students who are unable to attend [classes].” 

However, despite recent disciplinary changes in light of spring term, the Academy will still hold students accountable for attending each class’ three touchpoints weekly. “Student presence in classes is very important,” Coole said. “The minimum attendance policy remains in place.”

In addition to the change in attendance policy, the administration will rely on parents to determine appropriate action at home for students currently on restrictions.

An email sent to parents by the Dean of Students Office listed the consequences that come with restrictions, and asked for assistance in carrying out an equivalent to restrictions on their kids. “We ask that you take what you deem to be appropriate measures to meet the spirit of the conduct response in your home,” the email read.

The decision was made out of concern for students and parents.  “We know families are facing a lot right now, so we have no particular expectations about how parents and guardians will manage this,” Dean of Residential Life Carol Cahalane said. “We trust they will make the right choices for their children and their families. It is up to the students’ parents or guardians to determine what, if anything, they choose to do.”

The Academy expects that parents will be prepared to respond to the restrictions accordingly. “The responses [to spring term restrictions] have all been positive, and I expect they will remain that way,” Coole said. “Disciplining children is part of the job of being a parent. Nothing new there.”

The decision to notify parents about remote restrictions mirrors the Academy’s approach to day students with restrictions. “This approach is very much like what we do when day students are placed on restrictions,” Cahalane said. “It has worked quite well.”

Many students see the new attendance process as a welcome relief from the stress caused by the pandemic. “I’m amped that attendance stricts aren’t a thing, because quarantine is like extended [restrictions],” senior Jasper Yu said. “It feels good not having to worry.” 

Some students on restrictions questioned the effectiveness of the remote restrictions system. “I'm just quite uncertain about the concept of [remote restrictions], especially during these trying times, I'm inside the house all day anyway,” lower Charles Favliena said. “My parents understand the circumstances under which I received them and are pretty chill about it.”

Other students raised concerns about the added stress of continuing restrictions this term. “I do not think it is fair to put an added burden on parents to enforce restrictions on their child. Moreover, I think this form of discipline would be applied inconsistently,” Community Conduct Committee member Graham Guité said. “[Restrictions are] unexpected given the attempts the deans have made, such as pass-fail and asynchronous learning, to reduce responsibility and stress on students’ and parents’ lives.”

“I do not feel that discipline methods should be enforced this term, given the anxiety that these uncertain times cause students,” Guité continued. “If discipline must be enforced, however, I would have suggested carrying stricts over to fall term.”

Coole noted that the Academy’s non-punitive approach stems from the unique circumstances of the term. “I spent a fair amount of yesterday reaching out to students who had missed classes Thursday and Friday, wanting to understand their situation, hear their story, so Exeter can exhaust ways to support them. There were stories of personal family troubles, of illness, of poor internet connectivity, of forced quarantine,” Coole said. “Punitive measures do not address these real life issues, only understanding and compassion.”