Unlocking Trust: Lack of Locks Builds Bonds

By ZACH BLANCHARD

St. Paul’s School could be defined as a boarding school, a society, a lifestyle, a bubble, or even a family. The most important aspect of a family, or really any of these definitions, is trust. As such, trust stands out as one of the most crucial parts of the entire Advanced Studies Program (ASP) experience, as it represents a product of both freedom and what some may call a lack of security on campus.

The most obvious test of this trust would be the absence of locks on doors in the school’s dormitories, but the campus is also open from the street and many of the school’s other buildings are open throughout the day. This lack of security could be shown as a negative or a positive aspect of St. Paul’s. Either way these issues pose the question of whether or not the campus is a safe place to be.

When asked if he felt safe on campus, Changing the World student and Foster House resident Ethan LaFrance said, “I know there are dedicated individuals focused on the security of this community, and plans in place to respond to any interruptions of that security.”

Campus security ranges from patrol officers on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week to an emergency warning system.  Although it may seem small it terms of the size of the community, St. Paul’s School Director of Safety & Security George Pangakis said, “…we want [students and parents] to understand that safety and security is a priority of the school and plays a prominent part in the institution’s operations.”

ASP Director Michael Ricard reinforced that message when he said, “we have two security officers on duty 24/7, in addition to a house supervisor and interns in the dorm. Basically, no matter what activity you are involved in you have supervision. If any incident was to arise, the fact that we have that security 24/7 makes it as safe as it can be.”

Such sentiments reflect that the end result may not be a lack of security, but a greater sense of freedom. This freedom could quite possibly be what allows for trust among students and staff at the ASP. Overall, the campus has an open environment with the understanding that students will be responsible, a goal of the St. Paul’s School. This freedom shows that the faculty, interns, and administration trust that students. As a result, students are able to go out of their comfort zones and decide for themselves between right and wrong. In turn, this allows students to mature in ways that they probably would not elsewhere.

Shannon McQueen, a student in Changing the World and resident of Middle House, said, “I have a really good support system here and, even in a short amount of time, I have built strong connections.” This support system is what enables students and staff to trust one another, and feel safe in this environment.

The overall consensus is that students and staff feel safe on campus and that there is a sense of community and trust, thus leaving nobody at risk. This school, society, lifestyle, bubble, or family is comfortable and trusting; as a result, here at ASP, it is all about the experience. Even though it does not weigh on the minds of most in the community, both the “lack” of security and the general sense of freedom have created this familial bond and made the ASP a free, safe, and generally great place to live and learn.