The Issue with Gum

photo credit: Claudia Cheffs

By Tooba Ghias, Staff Writer

There are black spots on the new concrete. No, they\’re not bird droppings or part of the concrete\’s special design. 

It\’s gum. I\’m serious. 

OK. Who\’s to deny that most students like chewing gum? It\’s a way to stay awake during class, and it makes our breath smell better. Yeah, yeah. However, students have a tendency to spit gum on the ground during passing period. Is it so difficult to throw gum away in a trashcan especially when there are trashcans all over the school?  

As we all know, the concrete around the bowl was repoured during the summer. First day of school, it was nice and clean. Anyone notice what it looks like now? After only a few weeks the concrete around the bowl already has black spots slowly but surely taking over.  

There is also the situation with classroom desks. Ever notice the hundreds of pieces of dried gum from ten years ago still stuck under desktops? They make a very colorful rainbow! Some students think that sticking gum under the desk isn\’t a problem, and their excuse is, “I don\’t see it.” Well, hate to break it to you, but there are about six other people who share the same desk. Someone is bound to touch that nasty piece of gum. And what about when there\’s an emergency earthquake drill and people need to get under those desks? 

Most of the buildings have brand new desks, but some may have noticed the old brown desks that were placed in front of the old weight room. Yes. If we continue to stick gum under the desks because it is just so difficult to walk ten steps to the trashcan, our new desks will look exactly the same as those nasty desks in no time. 

Most teachers have the “no gum” policy, and it is somewhat effective. They warn the students to throw it in a trashcan before coming in and sometimes give detentions which sometimes could be served by scraping off gum underneath desks. Although it is helpful in the classrooms, nothing can be done about the black spots on the concrete. 

Teachers and security guards can\’t stop every student from spitting gum on the concrete, but it would nice if all students can dispose their gum in a trashcan. There are trashcans surrounding the bowl and at the ends of each hallway. It really isn\’t difficult to throw gum away in a trashcan. Every time I open my eyes I see a trashcan within walking distance. So why does it seem so difficult?