Campus etiquette is becoming more of an afterthought to students as the school year progresses. By October, it seems students are too wrapped up in schoolwork and extracurriculars to pay attention to how to behave properly.
The Willistonian set out to find the 10 most prevalent etiquette violations on campus. Read carefully.

1: Slow walking

Have you ever been in a rush to get to class but you are deterred by a slow walker? Walking slowly has become a major controversy all over campus. Junior Stella Michalski thinks it’s borderline disrespectful.
“I really hate it when people walk slow because I have places to be and they’re stopping me from getting there,” Stella said. “I usually pass people when they’re being too slow.”
Stella is not the only person frustrated with slow walkers. Senior Catie Spence agrees that this is an issue, but also feels there is an easy solution.
“Personally, I find it very annoying if the whole sidewalk is blocked off by slow walkers,” Catie, captain of the Track team, said. “I think if you’re going to be a slow walker, you need to leave space for people to pass.”

2: Line cutting

Dinner is a busy time for all students, and everyone is hungry and eager to get their food. But, even so, it’s not necessary to cut the line at the grill.
Junior Chris Anderson feels strongly about the injustice of line cutting.
“I feel horrible, but I want to punch [the line cutters],” Chris said. “It happens everywhere in the dining hall and people don’t apologize or acknowledge it.”
It seems hunger has overcome the need to respect the wait time.

3: Blocking the aisles of the Chapel before assembly

Trying to find which row you’re in for assembly is hard enough, so when people block the aisles, it makes finding your seat more challenging and frustrating.

4: Picking up your omelet on time

Everyone loves a good omelet in the morning, which is why it is so important to get your omelet when it is done. There is always a long line for the grill at breakfast, and if you don’t pick up your order on time, there is less room for other people to order, and for other omelets to be made. Not only is it holding up the line, but it is frustrating for the Sage staff to try and find who ordered what.

5: Making one friend walk behind the group

We’ve all been there. You’re walking with two or three other people and you wind up just behind the group. Do not make your friends go through this. It is common courtesy to not make a friend walk behind you alone. If you are in a group of people, simply look around to make sure this is not happening. No one wants to be left behind, and it may make your friends feel uncomfortable.

6: Volume in public areas

We have all been in Reed or the library when a group of people decides to share their conversation with the whole community. Although quite thoughtful of them, it is not necessary, and can be a disturbance to others.
Senior Hudson Fulcher-Melendy agrees.
“Being obnoxiously loud in any building,” is one of the most prevalent issues on campus, he said. “Use your inside voice. We do not need to hear your conversation, just keep it down.”
People may be trying to study or have some quiet alone time, so it is better to just pay attention to your surroundings and be respectful of others.

7: Behavior in Reed

Reed has become filled with shenanigans and fearless acts leading to chaos. Catie Spence agrees that this is one of the most important recurring issues on campus.
“Behavior in Reed can get out of hand sometimes, whether that’s PDA or just being loud,” she said. “I think it’s important to respect others and be aware of your effect on others.”
Not only are the games being taken away, but if you are contributing to this mess, you may be repelling fellow community members from braving the halls of Reed and the Stu Bop. Please be mindful.

8: Pushing Your Chair In

Primarily in the Dining Hall, pushing your chair in has seem to become quite the strain on people. No one knows why it is so hard to push in your chair after you are done eating, or when you sit down at your table. It is uncomfor

table to try and squeeze by someone with your plate when you are trying to clear. If you are a culprit of not pushing your chair in, please be mindful of the destruction you are causing.
Associate Dean of Students Kate Garrity agrees that even small gestures can yield big results.
“I think it’s the little, tiny things that if we can make habits of, are going to go a long way,” Garrity said. “The little effort of pushing in your chair can save people from tripping and dropping their food.”

9: Slow walking

Yes, slow walking was already on the list. This is not a mistake. Walk faster.

10: Doing stupid things to set off the fire alarm

Please do not use the microwave if you do not know that you need to put water in your mac and cheese cup for it to cook and not catch on fire. Please do not put your brownie in the microwave for more than five seconds at a time. Please do not cook, and then burn, popcorn at 8:00 a.m. on a green Saturday. Thank you!
Garrity, who is also a dean on duty and has been a dorm parent in both Mem East and EMV, thinks there are solutions for combating this issue.
“Dorm meetings on how to use a microwave,” she said.