As students who are encouraged to speak up for current issues, we feel that the new elective rule must be discussed. While we wholeheartedly respect the New Roads Faculty, we are feeling disregarded on our opinions on the rule. As future seniors, it is our last year to do the best that we can and prepare ourselves for the next chapter in our lives. While elective courses are entertaining to take IF you wish to, to fulfill a requirement of 6-8 hours is unreasonable and this is why. As one of the great qualities of New Roads we were welcomed to take any elective course we were interested in, and now it seems as if we are being forced to take elective classes that we cannot fully relate to. It seems contradictory to have optional classes now become mandatory all to fill in hours which are essential for us, which brings me to my next point. Free periods are the time for students to take the time to do whatever they need to, to limit these free periods is unnecessary. There are students who have family, work, or sports obligations, and free periods are the time for them to take care of whatever work they need to. It is also the time for them to meet with teachers, grab lunch and talk with friends. Just because some students are seen "Wasting" their free period time, applying that mentality to all of us is a bit biased and incredibly un-newroads like. I understand that the more elective courses we take the better our resumes look, but what is the point of taking away our valuable time if we cannot pass the actual elective classes? Free periods in general are our way of finding the time to be creative outside of class. If this rule must stay intact we humbly request that the requirement be 4-6 hours.These new rules, appointed upon us, the students, with absolutely no warning or conversation, critically undermines the sense of equality, empowerment, and community New Roads holds so dearly.