The Paw Print

By Alexa Gola, Editor-in-Chief

Minga, Payton’s new hall pass system, was introduced through advisory enrichments and town halls Thursday and Friday. 

During Friday’s town hall, Minga was met with widespread “boos” from sophomore and senior classes present. When Kieran Blake ‘26 spoke to the student body’s concerns over Minga at Vice Principal Paul Arabie’s invitation, students responded with loud cheers, chanting his name until the bell rang. 

Following its initial introduction on Thursday, The Paw Print solicited student opinions through a short google form survey distributed through its official Instagram’s story. The survey was reposted by the publication’s official account following Friday’s sophomore-senior town hall, as well as by Paw Print staff, @payton.voices (an account historically used to anonymously express concerns) and some elected representatives of the student body. 

While participation was voluntary and responses were limited to students following certain Instagram accounts, data collected shows a lack of enthusiasm for Minga among respondents.

On average, respondents rated their initial impression of Minga approximately 1.84 out of 10, with a rating of one representing “terrible” and a rating of ten representing “fantastic.” Among 12 sophomore respondents, the platform received an average rating of two. Among 12 juniors, Minga averaged 1.6, and among 32 seniors, 1.9. No freshmen responded to The Paw Print’s survey. 

Abi Chan, a senior who gave Minga a two, said the app does not have a clear benefit. 

“I gave my initial rating a two out of ten because when it was introduced, I just kind of thought, but why?” Chan said. “Why does it need to be a digital hall pass? What does it do that a physical one doesn’t?”

Ahana Gholkar ‘26 also rated her initial impression of Minga with a two. 

“I just think that Minga is not a system that is cost effective or is valuable to implement to the Payton environment, especially with the distraction it may have,” Gholkar said. 

Given a handful of checkbox options to indicate hopes or concerns, 73% of respondents indicated worrying that Minga would be disruptive to class. Gholkar said the system seems inefficient, as compared to paper passes, with the digital aspect introducing a number of additional tasks for students, teachers and security officers. 

At the same time, 30% of respondents indicated hope that Minga will allow more than one student to leave the classroom at a time, something generally not allowed under the paper hall pass system. 

No student checked the box reading, “I think this system will be more efficient than traditional hall passes.” In a separate question, 98% of respondents indicated preferring traditional hall passes to Minga. 

Charles Bish-Wood ‘27, the sole respondent to indicate a preference for Minga, said, “I said that I would prefer it to traditional hall passes because I’m a big hall pass hater.” He believes that hall passes as a whole are inefficient and demonstrate a lack of trust in students but remains hopeful that Minga will allow more than one student to leave the room at once. 

Student privacy also appeared to be a major concern among respondents, with 70% indicating that they “worry that Minga is an invasion of student privacy.” 

Gholkar said she was concerned about data that may be stored by the app, given that she is unsure of who might have access to it. Additionally, several students used the “Other” option to indicate concerns regarding the time limit Minga places on hall passes, which they said may not account for individual circumstances and bodily functions. 

70% of respondents indicated worrying that Minga is not cost effective. At Friday’s town hall, Ingrid Peterson ‘26 took the opportunity to ask Vice Principal Arabie how much the application costs Payton.

“I’m not sure I know the exact amount, but I’m sure we took it out of the senior budget,” Vice Principal Arabie said jokingly.

The Paw Print has submitted a FOIA request seeking any record of purchase(s) for use of Minga, as well as approval for said purchases.