Many people eat lunch in their cars a on daily basis, an innocent action for most. However, in this past week, a new campus-wide rule has been passed; no more parking lot lunch. Junior Isaac Ross spoke about this issue that directly affected him, “I have eaten lunch in my car everyday this year and never caused an issue.” Isaac has respected the campus parking lot, yet can no longer enjoy the solitude of his car.

Despite the lack of warning, there is, in fact, a reason for Coronado’s abrupt new rule. Dean of Students Sharon Bronson Sheehan, or Frau to most students, was more than happy to talk about this issue. She said that students eating in the parking lot has been an issue for Coronado’s administration for some time now. One factor of this increasing tension is that Coronado’s security is understaffed. This particular issue is relevant because our parking lot is part of our campus. And while we students are on campus, the staff is legally responsible for our actions.This means that if students are doing illegal or inappropriate activities, the school and district can be held accountable. Bronson Sheehan stated that Coronado administration just hired one more security guard and are hoping to hire three more; yet, there are just not enough security guards to survey the parking lot as well as the courtyard and the football field where kids play football and ultimate frisbee.

There is another contributor to the new parking lot rule, excessive trash. Sheehan also spoke about the amount of trash that is carelessly littered in the parking lot. Despite the fact that there are a plethora of trash cans not only outside but inside the school around nearly every corner, many students leave mounds of trash in the parking lot after every lunch period, polluting our campus. However, Sheehan mentioned the possibility of teaming up with Green Team or National Honors Society to get this trash issue resolved for the long run.

There is hope yet for those of you who enjoy lunch in our parking lot, Sheehan says while this rule is indefinite, it could be “temporary.” When, and if, more security guards are hired, more trash is cleaned up, and kids doing illegal or inappropriate activities take these activities off campus or cease doing them entirely, this rule could be lifted and students will be allowed to eat in the parking lot once again.

For now, there is no parking lot lunch. But the lunch room and courtyard are always open during lunch periods.