Students are voicing their opposition to the crackdown on dress code anonymously through posters like the one pictured. On the morning of August 14, posters like this one were found all across campus. Photo by Louise Platter.
By LOUISE PLATTER – Editor-in-Chief (ODYSSEY Newsmagazine)
The sound of a fist pounding on wood startles the students in the classroom. They look up from their work. The door creaks open and static is heard from a walkie talkie. “Any dress code infractions?” An administrator asks the teacher, as the students in shorts try to slump low into their desks.
On August 13, the Clarke Central High School administration team began a systematic crackdown on dress code violations by conducting clothing sweeps which involve entering classes and asking teachers which of their students are dressed inappropriately.
The 2014-15 CCHS dress code states, “Students are expected to be clean, neat, and appropriately dressed at all times. Students (and parents) are expected to use good judgment in choice of dress and ensure that the student’s attire conforms to the guidelines of this policy. A student’s dress and appearance shall always adhere to commonly accepted standards of decency, decorum, and good taste.”
<The ground rules of the new dress code policy. Infographic by Shari Armour.
On a practical level, the code prohibits hats, bare shoulders, midriffs, backs, sides, chests and strapless tops. Male students’ pants should be worn at the waist and no undergarments (boxers, other shorts, underwear) may show. Short shorts, short skirts or pencil skirts of any length are also prohibited. Clothing is considered too short if the material is shorter than the student’s middle finger.
“It’s pretty sexist, because yesterday I wore a tank top that wasn’t dress code and I did not even get looked at twice,” senior Barrett Binder said. “Whereas I know girls have worn clothes that were less against dress code and they were stopped for dress code.”
The stricter enforcement policies were implemented as a reaction to the lax dress code of the 2013-14 school year says an assistant principal.
“I think all of us felt like we didn’t have a handle on the dress code last year because we didn’t start out at the beginning of the year by letting the students know that it was important to us,” Assistant Principal Dr. Sheila Dunham said. “If you don’t start out at the beginning of the year it’s hard to get a handle on it later in the year.”
The enforcement of the policy evoked varied reactions among faculty and students.
“I think it’s an effective policy because it needs to be known that (admin are) serious about it and that (teachers are) serious about it,” math department teacher Alexandra Szatkowski said.
However, junior Magdalene Striepen feels differently.
“I think (the clothing sweeps are) more distracting than a tank top because you have to stop class, and it’s distracting for the students that get taken out because then they’re missing class time where they wouldn’t normally,” Striepen said.
Other students at CCHS agree with Striepen.
“I don’t think the shorts should be fingertip length. If the shorts are long enough to cover your bottom, then it’s appropriate for school. (Administrators coming to classrooms are) a disruption. I don’t think they should do that,” junior Khadijah Grier said.
In addition to students, several teachers expressed concern about the class interruptions, despite overall support of the policies.
“I don’t think (the interruptions are) a good thing. I think it should happen in the hall. But I still like the fact that the administration is trying to make a point,” social studies department teacher Steven Hinson said.
Dunham is sympathetic to these concerns.
“Anytime that we knock on a door, it is going to distract from instruction, so I can’t say that it’s not taking away from instruction. It definitely is, so I understand the comments,” Dunham said.
In an apparent protest of both the enforcement, and the dress code itself, signs were posted around CCHS. Various posters allege the administration team’s enforcement of the dress code is inherently sexist.
“When you send a girl to (in school suspension) because her shorts are too short, you’re telling her, ‘Hiding your body is more important than education’,” a sign on the breezeway said.
Other posters had a more pointed message.
“In a society of eating disorders and diets, shouldn’t you be proud of the youth that have overcome that? Shouldn’t you support their proclamations of self love and acceptance rather than denying young girls wearing shorts in hot weather. What will your policing accomplish? Your dress code promotes rape culture and sexism,” a sign on the 300 Hall said.
According to Striepen, the signs are a positive way to address the issues.
“I like (the posters) because a lot of the points are valid and it’s nice to see them going around,” Striepen said.
Senior Barrett Binder agrees that female students are unfairly targeted by the administration team’s enforcement.
“It’s pretty sexist, because yesterday I wore a tank top that wasn’t dress code and I didn’t even get looked at twice,” Binder said. “Whereas I know girls have worn clothes that were less against dress code and they were stopped for dress code.”
Regardless of intention, Hinson agrees that the dress code is heavily targeted at female students.
“Psychologically, when they come up with (the dress code), and it’s no one’s fault, rules like this are created with females in mind and that’s not right,” Hinson said.
“We are trying to be more fair. I think it’s good for (students) to bring that to our attention and for us to make sure that if we haven’t been equal that we fix that. You’re not supposed to show shoulders, and that should apply to boys as well as girls,” Dunham said.
According to Dunham, the administration team is currently attempting to find out the names of the students responsible for the posters.
“We want to know who put them up because we want to talk to them. We care about what they think and it’s also important for them to understand why we have the rules. Whoever put them up put a lot of time into them, so it’s obviously important to them,” Dunham said. “One thing that all students need to know is that you’re supposed to get permission before you hang signs in the school building so that’s another reason why we want to talk to the students.”
According to Hinson, despite the controversy, the stricter dress code is an ultimately beneficial policy.
“I think people should have freedom to do what they want to, but to a point. Over the last 12 years I have seen some ridiculous outfits like so alarming that you would even wear that. So I think it’ll encourage people to be just a little bit more modest,” Hinson said.
In attempt to combat the outrage, Dunham plans to work to alleviate concerns of sexism in the way that the code is enforced.
“We are trying to be more fair. I think it’s good for (students) to bring that to our attention and for us to make sure that if we haven’t been equal that we fix that. You’re not supposed to show shoulders, and that should apply to boys as well as girls,” Dunham said.
Friday, August 15 12:54 p.m.– Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker announced in an email to CCHS staff that special education department head Marie Yuran will act as the school’s interim Associate Principal until a permanent replacement is found. During that time, special education department teacher Dr. Ashley Wegmann will temporarily act as the department head.
