For the past three years, crew was a time for connection across all different departments. 

At the beginning of their freshman year, BSA students would be put into a group of students alphabetically, and assigned two teacher advisors. They stayed with this group year to year.

Students would go to one of these teacher’s rooms once a week on Fridays for a time to hang out, do seasonal activities, or it would be used as a time for assemblies, such as showcases or performances.

Crew time is now art department focused, with students reporting to their homeroom locations instead of their previous crew classrooms. These new changes have brought mixed thoughts and feelings across the student body, both positive and negative.

Although crew time was interdepartmental since its birth in the 2021-2022 school year, many students have wondered how such a dramatic shift was sparked. According to Principal Rosiland Cauthen, many teachers of both arts and academics, as well as the SGA (student government), were hoping to find more time in the busy BSA schedule for department bonding and announcements.

“There were many requests from SGA and staff members to allow more time in the schedule for department meetings, and this [crew] was the only time that it was possible, ” Cauthen said. “The new crew was implemented as a way for departments to have more time to build community together. The only time most departments have together is during homeroom, which is only 10 minutes per day.”

One issue brought up by students is the lack of small group time in the new configuration. Many students enjoyed the quiet time of the previous crew setup to hang out or to get work done for their classes. 

Senior instrumentalist Sam Wiley stated, “I don’t really like the new crew, I miss the small groups. It felt more refreshing for my day and more productive for me.”

Work time isn’t the only thing Wiley feels is lacking. He added, “This new crew is more energetic, but that is its downside for me. I just can’t with the loudness of the new crew.”

In addition, some students miss the opportunity to interact with classmates they may not usually see, music students in particular. Since the arts classes for upperclassmen music majors are spread throughout the morning and afternoon, they are often in academic classes with mostly other music students, due to their unusual schedules. 

Senior vocalist Mae Guerrasio feels this way especially, saying, “I miss the opportunity to connect with people outside of my department. There are a lot of students in other departments, dance and visual arts specifically, who I don’t get the opportunity to become friends with because our schedules completely conflict. Crew used to be my opportunity to connect with these students, and I miss it.”

On a positive note, many students enjoy being able to build community with others in their department, especially those across the upper and lowerclassmen divide.

Senior visual artist Rose Jean-Gilles Joseph shared, “When I started at BSA I kinda wished there was a chance for the underclassmen visual artists to meet the upperclassmen…I think it will be nice to have an environment that promotes positive friendly interaction between grades, but whether or not that happens remains to be seen.”

Additionally, several students enjoy having more time for department-related information and other important announcements. As Principal Cauthen had stated previously, most departments only had homeroom to convey necessary regards, which is woefully short, especially considering the sheer number of students needing to be accounted for. 

Freshman dancer Kaleb Jenson quite enjoys this newfound time, saying, “as a department, having crew collectively just makes getting information easier because it’s going to the whole department, and everyone knows and gets the same information at the same time.”

All in all, many students are hopeful for this new crew, but many are still on the fence, simply wishing to return to the previous setup. Whether these changes become permanent for future school years or an alternative is found, there is hope that this change will bring a larger sense of community to BSA, promote department connection, and properly satisfy the needs of the whole student body.

To contact this writer, email Muse Newspaper at musebsa@bsfa.org.

Featured photo by Hassan Hunt for the BSA Muse.