Food is Energy

“Food & Drink: Eating is only allowed in the cafeteria and open concept space downstairs during lunch, after school, and during breaks. Food and drink in those spaces during class time is at the discretion of the instructor and may change depending on daily activities. If food is consumed in the cafeteria or open concept space, students must wipe down the tables. Refusal to clean up can result in loss of privilege.There is to be no food in any carpeted space or upstairs at any time. An approved drink container can be turned upside-down over your personal computer without leaking. Violation of the food and drink policy will be considered insubordination and will result in the consequences aforementioned.” -GCE Code of Conduct

Syllogism for GCE

1. The only rooms without carpet are the cabin, cafe
2. If food is consumed in the cafeteria or open concept space, students must wipe down the tables.
3. Cleanliness is important to GCE

Conclusion: The prohibition of food and drink is based off of protection of property.

This rule is unjust because it focuses on the product of an even bigger issue about cleanliness and property, making it a red herring. Throughout the text there are multiple statements about making sure the space is clean, and not having anything to do with the food itself. It explains the different areas you are allowed to eat which implies that those rooms are easier to clean up, since each of those rooms (like the cafe or the open concept) have hardwood floors. It also explains that there will be consequences if you weren’t to clean up after yourself. This rule also shows the importance of sealed drink containers and even goes as far to say it is only approved when you are willing to hold it upside down over your own computer. From what I’ve noticed, the teachers or other staff of the school are able to have open drink containers in whichever room they want to. Sometimes it even makes sense to have a more open container like a coffee cup to let the heat out.

This is the second action project for my humanities class called, “A Nation’s Argument”. This unit was about different logical fallacies one could use in an argument and how to debunk that. We specifically looked at the Dred Scott case and the contradictions that the decision created. In this action project we had to create an amendment to a rule in the code of conduct for GCE. One of my struggles while making my case against the food policy in the GCE code of conduct, was breaking it down into a syllogism. Every time that I thought it was at it’s core issue I found out that it could be part of something more. Overall I really liked making the project because I learned more about my school. Enjoy my project!

prohibition poster (1900's) domestic violence

This issue has a relationship with the prohibition of the alcohol since it was originally meant to protect housewives from their drunk husbands. This is similar to what GCE did because they are going after a product of an even bigger issue. Instead of banning alcohol they should've focused more on domestic violence. GCE should have focused on the cleanliness instead of eating since it is the most overarching rule.

Syllogism for the Amendment

1. Food is important
2. Some students might be busy during lunch
3. Food gives you energy
4. Energy helps students learn

Conclusion: Food should be allowed to be eaten in any room or class.

This amended argument is more beneficial to the school and the students because more work would be getting done. The students will be more energized in class making it possible to get more done. This of course makes it more beneficial to the teacher since they would be able to have a productive class time.

“I feel that we should be able to eat in class as long as you are mindful of how you are doing so.” -A.A.