We, the student body of St. Josephs College, believe that the rules and regulations that have been put in to place in the 2nd floor lounge and cafeteria are not only demeaning and belittling but also unnecessary and preposterous. As the student body of St. Josephs college, we hold the five pillars above all. These pillars are service, intellectual values, spiritual values, social responsibility, and integrity. St.. Joseph's College was founded on these pillars, and strives every day to uphold them to the highest honor. These rules and regulations and the action taken to enforce them refute the foundation of these values.

We, very reasonably, would like a place in this college to relax and unwind. Unfortunately, with these rules in place, students feel uncomfortable sitting in the cafeteria and the 2nd floor lounge. As a consequence for "disobeying" these rules, brand new ottomans were removed from our student lounge.We would like to include the definition of an ottman in this petition. Dictionary.com defines an ottoman as"a low upholstered seat, or footstool, without a back or arms that typically serves also as a box, with the seat hinged to form a lid" There are also rules in the cafeteria that say sitting/leaning on the tables is a violation of the SJC Code of Conduct. In the code of conduct, section three, article F, it states;

F. Destruction of Property

Minimum sanction: Probation; Maximum sanction: Suspension.

No student may intentionally damage, deface or destroy College property or that of any other person while

on campus or while using College related premises. No student may litter or place graffiti on walls, doors,

furniture or other property while on campus or while using College-related premises.

After reading the entire code of conduct, this was the closest violation that could be related to leaning/sitting on a table and or putting feet on furniture. NOT ONCE in the code of conduct is it mentioned that putting your feet and up and/or sitting of the tables is a "destruction, damage to, or defacing of College property". These rules were created with the intention to keep these areas clean and comfortable for students and staff to use and enjoy. The implementation of these rules has in turn, caused students to feel uncomfortable in a school they are paying tuition to attend. The placement of feet on furniture or sitting/leaning on a table is NOT a violation of the SJC Code of Conduct, and therefore cannot be enforced as such.

We are frustrated that our school has become a place where we no longer feel comfortable. We are disheartened with the way we are treated and spoken to by college administration. As college students attending St. Joseph's to grow as successful individuals and learn in a healthy environment, we will not stand for such disrespect. We are educated, honorable students of this college, we deserve to be treated as such. The distrust these rules bring upon us from administration leads us to believe they do not see us as upholding the pillars this college was founded on. We are esse non videri, to be and not to seem to be. We are what makes St. Joseph's College so great. Let us join together to make SJC a better place and make all students feel comfortable and welcomed instead of patronized and punished. Together, we can make a change; we can make SJC our home away from home once again.