Orginazation Problems

[InsanelySane01]

My team has some real drama issues. First off the rules that have been set into place are being enforced so strictly that the members are starting to take actions. Second the Mentors are becoming problems. I guess I'll begin where it started.

The team recently merged with two other schools and now there are problems, the team is mostly made up of couples. The rules set into place were to prevent unacceptable things from happening, the rule states "No hugging, hand-holding, kissing...etc" Recently at the Pittsburgh competition the rule was taken to not even being able to sit next to each other. This is beginning to hinder the cooperation of the team. The mentor behind most of this has never had girls on his team before and seems to not understand how to treat them.

At our last meeting we addressed the rules in a a few formal speeches. It seems the mentors are uninterested in even considering changing the rules. I said myself that I believe Mentors and Students can work together on the same level and the mentor straight up said he disagreed and that it wouldn't work that way. Mentors are just guiding hands right? To make sure we don't kill each other. Their not supposed to make it or design it or anything like that right? Well I believe they shouldn't be restricting us as if we're prisoners.
We understand why the rules are in place and don't ask the mentors to eliminate them only to allow some lee-way. The rules that apply at the school I attend state that even kissing like little ones for good bye or hello or something like that is allowed. I am currently looking into the rules for the other schools.

Somehow I think half the team crying in front of a women's bathroom isn't quite Gracious Professionalism.

We could use some advice on what to do, We've tried a lot of things but most of the team is ready to quit. We're even writing up a petition as I write this stating that if the rules don't change, everyone who signs it will quit the team.

HELP!