Maybe a dress code is needed
By Ms. L. Kay Kirby, Indianapolis, IN
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
I am the mother of a CSU alum and grandmother of a graduating senior so I often go online or visit campus to follow CSU activities.
I wish to respond to the article written by Russhena Johnson regarding a dress code [MarauderTalk, March 15, 2005]. Her article closely resembles the experience that my family and I had while attending the Wilberforce/CSU basketball game, so I am assuming we are talking about the same incident.
At that game we sat close to one of the entrances where we could see students enter. To say we were shocked is an understatement, when we saw a young lady come into the game, move toward the seating area while showing most of her bare breasts. My first thought was, “What were you thinking in coming to a game dressed like that?” We did witness a staff member talking to the young person followed by a member of security escorting her to the door. In my opinion, that was a totally appropriate action since closing the coat didn’t seem to be an option. Is attending a sporting event really a forum for dressing “sexy”? In making this type of decision one must keep in mind that a basketball game is a “family” event attended by persons of all ages. While college aged young people may not be offended by this type of dress, it is not the dress I would want my 9 year old granddaughter to see.
I agree that young people like and desire to show their individuality and creativity. However, one of the purposes of university life is to prepare students for life beyond college in an adult and professional setting. That translates into the reality that was stated in the comment by Keu’Asha Brown that “There is a time and place for the way you dress” [Shout Outs, March 15, 2005]. If some students feel it is ok to attend a basketball game with bare breasts exposed, then maybe a dress code is needed.
Thank you, to those CSU staff and administrators, who are attempting not only to teach course work but proper behavior and appropriate dress.
.:. Top of Page