TUESDAY – High school principal Dr. Benjamin Lee announced several changes to the school, of which included a blanket food ban on solid food, take out, and food sold for commercial purposes. It was an action agreed upon by the school to take in response to past food scandals in Shanghai international schools, along with a heightened awareness to Chinese tax law. The changes will be applied to both Shanghai American School campuses.

Students, especially club officers, raised objections to this new ruling. Club fundraising depends largely upon food sales, including bake sales and bubble tea sales. Ambiguity surrounding the new ruling thus instigated confusion around the parameters of food sales within school

“For now, two things are definitely prohibited. First thing is students ordering takeout for themselves or their friends. Second thing is selling solid food items, including KFC or McDonalds,” Lee said.

To enforce the ruling, guards in the Links have been notified to turn away any takeout approaching school gates. “Even if someone places an order, it’s not going to get here.”

Lee also responded to concerns regarding students using vehicle of a sale in order to raise money for club or activity. The administration is working on developing a club grant application and forming a grant-making body. This system will, in effect, eliminate the need for clubs to work to raise money for their events.

“The effort that sales take up dilute the potential impact of students working together accomplish a common goal,” said Lee. Students focus on the goal of raising money to make such an event possible rather than driving their energy towards building an experience to the best it can be. Lee used this argument in regards to service clubs as well.

“We believe that the more important thing for non-disaster relief service clubs is to directly serve the people you’re trying to help. We will get you the money to make your goals possible.”