Marissa Peña ’25 using her bathroom pass to go to the girls 50/60s wing bathroom. The passes are color coded according to which bathroom is closest to your class. Picture by: Emily Sevaaetasi

Many students have different opinions on the new hall pass system, Minga 

Now that the green hallpasses are gone, Minga is the new digital alternative. It has a multitude of features like creating hall passes, reporting attendance, creating flex periods and more. However, it’s been a rough rollout for Minga as there have been many students complaining about the process of setting up a pass.

Jayden Gentry ‘24 said, “It’s a hassle because it’s taking away from class time that we use to learn. Instead, we make a pass that takes away from that [class] time.”

To make a Minga pass, students first start by opening the Minga website on a chromebook or phone. Then, students must log in using their VSD registered email account. Next, they create a hall pass, and choose the location that the student is heading off to, like the bathroom or water fountain. A timer will start and the student’s information will show up on an admin tab that marks what location the student chose to go to.

Whether it’s taking time away from class or the rushing of students having to use the bathroom, many students are left feeling overwhelmed, rushed or even uncomfortable.

Launa Black ‘24 said, “Honestly, it makes me uncomfortable that I’m being timed to use the restroom, I shouldn’t have to feel rushed, it doesn’t make any sense.”

Marcia Linn ‘24 said, “Why are we being tracked? We are all old enough to watch ourselves.”

There have also been rumors going around on how strict Minga really is.

Quinn McMurtry ‘24 said, “I heard you could get a tardy if you go over the time said on Minga, but there have been a lot of similar rumors going around so that might not be true.”

Although students have expressed their concern and gripes with Minga, there are students who believe that Minga is a possible improvement. It’s been a benefit to teachers not needing to stop class and write a green pass, instead, leaving it in the hands of the students.

Arden Pariso ‘26 said, “I think it’s easier on the teachers because they don’t have to stop class to 

write a pass, all you have to do is grab the pass and then leave.”

McMurtry said, “It seems like it’s saving time. I don’t really think it’s a big deal.”

Overall, the Minga rollout hasn’t been easy. Students have expressed their discomfort but many are going into it with an open mind, hoping for the best. There’s a lot more time left this school year for students to adapt to the new changes that they are facing.