The Link is a space for relaxation, collaboration and sometimes a whole lot of crumbs. The question of whether food and drinks should be allowed in The Link is a constant topic of discussion. Should staff permit snacks and beverages, it would enhance productivity and comfort. The decision carries significant implications for all who utilize The Link.
The lunchroom is pretty big, but almost every table is filled up during lunch. Most students aren’t comfortable with going out of their way to talk to new people. On the other hand, The Link is much quieter and away from most crowds. Allowing home lunches or snacks would be fine in The Link since school lunches are usually filled with sauces and packed to the brim on their trays. Home lunches are more neatly packed and usually not as messy, so less of a mess for janitors or other staff to clean up. This is more reliable for staff as well because they don’t need to enforce so strictly to keep lunches out. For drinks, they should allow twist caps, since they are less likely to spill and stain the carpet. Cans of soda should not be allowed because they are easy to spill and leave a harsh stain on the carpet. Juice boxes and any twist cap won’t be as bad of a problem since they are harder to spill unless the cap is open.
Allowing food and drinks in The Link can improve students’ focus and concentration. A grumbling stomach can be a major distraction for students. By providing access to snacks and drinks, students can better manage their hunger and thirst, leading to increased alertness and engagement in class activities. This can be especially beneficial during long periods in class or for students who aren’t comfortable asking for a seat in the lunchroom. Moreover, permitting food and drinks in the classroom can help to create a more relaxed and comfortable learning environment. When students feel that their basic needs are being met, they are more likely to feel at ease and be receptive to learning.
Allowing food to come at risk, the link will increase in messiness overall. Spills, crumbs and wrappers can quickly accumulate if not taken care of properly, leading to an unclean and unhygienic environment in The Link. The mess of the food can attract unwanted pests like mice. Food debris can attract insects and rodents, posing a health risk. These pests are not only unsightly and annoying, but they also contaminate surfaces with bacteria and pathogens, leading to the spread of diseases. Even rodents are a problem to deal with, and even worse to get rid of. The sounds and smells of eating and drinking can disrupt those who are trying to study or work. This causes irritation and conflict within the link for those who are trying to use it for its intended purpose. With all the eating, it can cause damage to furniture, electronics and other equipment. Spills can damage the furniture and make it unusable and create a dirty environment for all. Even for staff which poses a problem in enforcing certain food items in the link. Monitoring what enters and what doesn’t is time-consuming for staff and can be difficult to impose.
Allowing students to bring food into The Link brings to much risk for Park. Allowing food can allow damage and unwanted pests to enter The Link and make it unusable for students. There is to much of a downside with allowing food into the link. Food should not be allowed into The Link.
