Student Senate Explains Efforts to Magnify Student Voices

By Gabriella Kolodziej

March 7, 2024

In early 2024, new administrative decisions for the 2024-2025 school year at C.C.H.S. were announced to the student population. Among them were decisions to end the school's late arrival policy for seniors. In addition, changes will be made to the add/drop period for classes where students will not be allowed to make any changes to their schedules once the school year starts.

As a result, students have begun voicing their concerns regarding these new policies. The high school’s Student Senate has worked to gauge student feelings and to provide a voice for the students to the school’s administration. 

On Monday, February 26, the Student Senate referendum was sent out to students through their email. The email contains a Google form for students to fill out, expressing their concerns and opinions on new school policies and any other issues that students want addressed within the school. The form also asks students for any ideas they have in terms of solutions. As of March 3, Senate has received over 75 responses to the form with varying opinions expressed. 

Student Senate President, Mukundan Thanigaivelan explains that by sending out the referendum, Senate is able to get a better understanding of how the student body feels. The club is then able to use that information to plan future Senate actions supporting the student population. 

“This referendum is a step towards changing some unfair policies that have gained a lot of attention among students,” states Thanigaivelan. 

In addition, Grace Conley, Vice President of Senate, states that based on feedback from students, another Student Speakout is being planned, with the date to be determined. Speakouts have been held in the past by Senate and they are opportunities for students to voice their opinions directly to school administration and district officials.

“It is important for administration to hear student voices, student concerns, and take those voices into account when making new policy changes,” explains Conley regarding the role of Student Speakouts.  

Abigail O’Neill, a junior, recently joined Student Senate following the new policy decisions. She had previously met with Mr. Kachadurian, the building principal, to ask questions regarding the changes, and she explains that while she understands the reasoning for the changes, she believes the steps taken could have been different.

“There could have been a better solution that helped the students and wasn’t such a drastic change,” says O’Neill.

O’Neill believes that by joining Student Senate, changes can be made and new conversations with administration can be held regarding these policies.

However, despite the work being done by Student Senate, several of its members have expressed doubt as to the impact that its actions will have. Conley explains how despite the administration being willing to hear student voices, such as by attending Student Speakouts, the change that has actually taken place has been minimal. Senior Ryan Staley adds that despite Student Senate efforts, the school administration hasn’t been very responsive.

A part of the problem could be the size of the Senate itself. Thanigaivelan states that as the years have progressed, the membership rate of Senate has decreased. Both Thanigaivelan and O’Neill stress that for the actions of Student Senate to have an impact, more students must become involved. 

“I strongly believe that administration will listen to the students if the students are strongly supportive or against a certain policy,” states Thanigaivelan, “Student Senate is a very powerful organization if the students support it.”