Whitney Young is actually one of few schools that offer off campus lunches. All 9th-12th graders are given the opportunity to choose where they take their lunch break. Many other schools offer this only to upperclassmen, Lincoln Park and Jones being examples. Lincoln Park High School and Jones College Prep only allow their upperclassmen to go out for lunch. Some schools even limit this privilege to certain individuals. However more often than not, schools will restrict student lunches to on-campus food. 

Off-campus lunch allows students to eat the food they prefer and enjoy. Many students have some kind of food restriction and many schools don’t have cross-contamination policies.This can make eating school lunches risky at times. Not only does off-campus lunch give students with food restrictions a chance to get the food they need but it also can be a well-needed break from a stressful school day. The school setting can come with many stresses such as pressure to be successful and a chance to leave and have to recollect their thoughts. Off-campus lunch allows students to get to know the neighborhood surrounding their school and they support local businesses in the process. 

 However, not all students can afford to purchase lunch every school day. Another thing is that an open campus may make it easier for some students to skip class. Students can easily leave campus during a different lunch period than their own without raising any suspicions as they simply walk out of the building. Although Whitney Young is located in the West Loop with its huge variety of food in the area, many underclassmen are restricted to places that are walking distance from the school. Also, not all food off-campus is ‘healthy’, and it is shown that access to off-campus food affects a student’s intake of high-fat foods, and sweetened beverages.

 As long as students don’t abuse the privilege of an open campus, it can have a very positive impact on the school community. Students get the chance to be independent and make smart choices with the option of eating lunch off campus. By taking advantage of an open campus some students find themselves less stressed for their remainder of their day. This is due to open campus policies providing students with a well deserved break 

 In the end an open campus policy teaches students responsibility and time-management. Although some students can decide to abuse the privilege of an off campus lunch, not all will.  Each policy should include a disciplinary system which will help prevent this from happening. All possible flaws in an open campus policy are easily preventable and should not overshadow the benefits.