The students who go to JUG the most benefit the least from attending it, as it cuts into the time they could use to catch up academically and do homework. This then relates to poorly done or unfinished work causing lower grades. These lower grades can often make the student less attached to their classes, and so more likely to get JUGed because of their indifferent attitude. This causes a vicious cycle where the student’s JUGs cause him to fall behind more, leading to extra JUGs due to a detachment from academics.

The solution to this problem can be easily found within what the JUG is itself: change JUG to allow students to complete work and catch up academically. Currently, JUG consists of sitting in a classroom for one hour, or occasionally doing manual labor for the school. One may also complete a reflection form during their time in JUG. None of this helps fix the underlying problem of it causing students to fall behind academically. However, the system does work from time to time, as it can allow the student to reflect and correct unsatisfactory behavior. But when used often, it can result in drawing a student back from school and education, often relating to more JUGs. Allowing students to do homework and catch up to the level of their peers during JUG would give them the means to stop this vicious cycle. Instead of creating a ceiling, this would create a floor which students can lift themselves up from.

The problem with this solution is that it changes the nature of JUG. It is no longer a disciplinary tool and will not work to correct behavior. Students will care less if they get JUGed, and if JUG loses its value then there is no good punishment for non-severe actions in the classroom. JUG is also ingrained in the tradition of BC High and has been around for a very long time, if not since the school’s founding. The idea of changing JUG into a more productive time was, in fact, discussed by Student Council last year. However, when run past administration, the reasons listed above were cited, preventing any reform.