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The Nacel Open Door Program is designed to help students, most from international backgrounds, share their cultures while preparing them for the future, said Andrea Bitunjac, Nacel Director of Admissions. However, many students at Hamline and Nacel have expressed frustration about consolidating facilities.

“We feel not wanted,” Nacel sophomore Heather said. “We feel like we should get more respect because we pay to come here.”

“I feel bad they don’t have a cafeteria,” said Hamline sophomore Natalie Self. “I like the idea of the program but it would be better for everyone if they had their own separate space.”

Complaints from students and faculty have lead to designated times for Nacel students to use Bush Library, according to Bitunjac. Nacel students are also unhappy about other changes, such as the blue identification holders they must wear, but the new library rules are especially annoying. According to Kim, a Nacel sophomore, the new designated Bush library times make it harder for students without computers to communicate with family in other countries.

Nacel Open Door Program started in 2003. Bitunjac, who has been with the program since it began, said it started as an idea from a student exchange company that wanted to bring students together from different countries to share cultures. In the past three years, Nacel has grown from 26 students to over 100. Many of the students live with host families.

Even aside from the international aspect, Nacel is hardly an ordinary high school. It is located on the first floor of Drew Hall and students must share a gym and cafeteria with Hamline. Because it is a private school, lack of transportation is a problem for after-school activities, so clubs meet during the day, said Bitunjac. Currently, Nacel does not have any sports teams, but Carmen, a Nacel senior, said students are trying to start basketball and soccer teams.

Bitunjac said that Nacel wants to be more involved with Hamline than just sharing facilities. Currently, both schools are looking to form a committee and work closely to better share the space. Students already work side by side, as many Nacel kids take Hamline courses. Many Nacel students also continue at Hamline as college students.