“Dress code” should not be enforced
By Russheena Johnson, Contributing Writer
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
The Central State Wilberforce game is always the biggest game of the year. I was real excited about attending and wanted to look my best. I picked out an outfit that I thought was sexy but fun. I got to the gym at the start of the game. The gym was already filling up with students and fans.
Just before half time I decided to move to a seat on the home side of the gym. I had just reached my seat when an administrator tapped me on the shoulder. She told me that my outfit was too revealing. She told me to return to my dorm and change into a less revealing outfit. I did so, but when I returned, she told me that I should stay away. I left but I’m still angry over the entire incident.
There is no official dress code in the 2004-2005 CSU Student Handbook and college administrators are unaware of any university-wide regulations concerning student dress. At the same time, faculty members from time to time tell students to leave class or other university functions when they believe that the students are dressed inappropriately.
Many students say it’s unfair for teachers to enforce a dress code that doesn’t actually exist. “How are they going to enforce a dress code when there is none,” junior Meredith Green said. “We are all mature adults.” Green says times and fashions change and teachers should allow students to express their individuality.
Unsurprisingly, many faculty members disagree. “I personally don’t enforce a dress code,” said Torch advisor Mike Gormley. “But I think every faculty member has the right to enforce professional standards in the classroom. As long as it’s in the syllabus, I don’t think that students have a right to complain.”
Cincinnati public school teacher Rowena Porter says teachers must include the dress code in their syllabus. Otherwise, they cannot enforce those rules. ”If faculty members want to enforce something, they should have it in writing, so that students would be aware of it,” Porter said.
Over the last several years, various university groups have tried to enforce a dress code. Last year, the Mercer Cafeteria banned pajamas from the cafeteria. The Student Health Service put a sign on its front door telling students to take off their do rags. The College of Business requires professional dress on certain days. Many faculty members would like to see a university wide dress code put in place.
Students, however, don’t believe that a dress code is important or necessary. “Students should be able to express their creativity without being penalized,” sophomore Dorethea Edwards said.
I for one don’t think that faculty members should be able to decide for themselves what students should or shouldn’t wear. The university should adopt a dress code, put it in the student handbook, or just forget about telling students how to dress.
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