(14 votes, average: 4.43 out of 5)
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By Isaac Guttman, ’10, News Editor
Recently announced changes in Upper School dress code and senior privileges policies enacted by the administration have been well received by the student body. These issues have been contentious in the past, and this year marks a significant increase in administrators’ willingness to debate and alter policies. The Upper School Student Council was able to secure the dress code reform, while the senior privileges alterations are credited to an administrative council and specifically to Senior Dean of Students Fred Carey, who was a major advocate for the changes.
As of Friday, Nov. 13, Upper School students have been able to wear sweaters and pullovers, including hoodies, in good condition without a collar underneath on a test-run basis. A similar rule was enacted two years ago but was revoked because too many students abused it by wearing clothes that violated it. The Student Council was able to convince administrators to alter the policy by presenting them with a proposal.
“Believe it or not, nobody I know likes playing the role of dress code cop. So when it was suggested by student leadership that the dress code be adjusted…it seemed like a simple and practicable proposition well worth a test run given its potential to make everyone happier—a true win / win situation,” explained Mr. Carey.
Junior Jamie Huelskamp is very happy with the dress code reforms “because now I have more options, which makes things easier. I really appreciate what Student Council did because dress code is something that’s relevant to every student.”
Chris Magarian, ’12, said the new dress code enhances the “learning environment” in the Upper School because “it helps people feel more comfortable in the classroom.”
Student Council President Xanni Brown, ’10, said she is “really thrilled at how easy it was to present a rational proposal and have faculty and administration debate and institute a policy change. It was a painless process and it bodes really well for future Student Council endeavors.”
Notable “enhancements” to the senior privileges policy have been the alliterative and popular Senior Snooze, Miracle Monday, Welcome Wednesday, and Free Friday.
Since talks began last spring, Mr. Carey has supported a return to a previous policy that allowed eligible seniors who are free during first bell to sleep in. “The process of adjusting senior privileges was a bit more complex, primarily due to logistical considerations… [but] after renewed discussions this fall, it was decided to give it a test run for the last two weeks of the first semester,” Mr. Carey said. “Logistically speaking, it’s gone extremely well so far.”
Other adjustments let seniors stay out during club or advisory times when they are not directly involved or needed. Senior Nichole Lowe said, “Welcome Wednesday is extremely helpful since my schedule doesn’t allow me to leave before lunch, so staying out through my free bell after lunch is really nice.”
Asked what these changes reveal about the Upper School administration, Lowe responded, “It seems like the administration is becoming more willing to work with students and listen to our point of view to make things like senior privileges more accommodating and fun for us.”
Mr. Carey noted, “More than anything, I think it reflects the presence of an extraordinary degree of trust and mutual respect between the administration and the Upper School student body.”
“Some people would say it’s the wrong decision by relaxing rules,” said Upper School Head Stephanie Luebbers. “But for me it’s important that Upper School students have a voice in protocols and rules that directly affect their everyday life because it builds a sense of ownership and connectedness to the school.”
Photo by Ilana Habib, ‘11
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In my experience, the situation has not been a win-win. When I wear a sweater somehow it is or is not a sweater if you ask different people. When some tend to suggest that outerwear and jackets are “sweaters” I just don’t understand where they learned thier fashion terminology. Some button up knits are sweaters, but it’s not a pullover. I am then told that you really have to consider the fabric. A cotton vs. a cotton polyester blend vs. rayon vs. polyspandex ect. First, how do you know exactly the blend of fabric I’m wearing by looking? Second this was never in the guideline e-mail! and third, it’s still a sweater if it is nylon, rayon, tweed, woal, or if it is knitted out of human hair. Also it really depends on the thickness of a garment, also not mentioned in the “guidelines”. Who measures the thickness of the sweater? Does someone walk about with a tiny, tiny ruler to measure my shirt? If so that is a breach in my personal space and I might need to claim sexual harassment if you are indeed touching me without permission. Also, what unit of measurement should I use to judge this at home before I decide if it is approriate to wear as a “sweater” ? Is it nanometers?? Anyhow, when I wake up in the morning and am very tired and sometimes worry I will fall asleep at the wheel and kill several small children in the car which I have crashed, I’m not up to going before the sweater judge and jury in my closet for them to decide if I am guilty of sweater fraud. I actually go to school to learn and the week before exams is not the time to tell me in sarcastic, highly personal taunts that my sweater does not meet the fabric guideline as per above. Not only does this discourage me from ever coming to school again, but I have to question what this world means, and if I’m unable to go to school and graduate high school, isn’t it better to be a street bum than to work at a degrading minimum wage job? However, I dislike rain and cold and If it’s too hot I’m not happy either so that may not work. Overall I just have to give up and lay down on the floor and wait for God to smite me for my sweater violation. I am not plotting to break a dress code rule when I wake up in the morning. I’m trying to look presentable and not be a nudist. Although being a nudist might be easier when I don’t have to worry about my sweater. I hear there is a fun nudist glo bowl night in Land O’ Lakes, Florida which has the most nudists per capa in the country. I guess I can fall back on that for a career? What would I major in for college for that path? Anyway, I thought I would express my view on the article written above. There’s plenty more where this came from, but I might not tell you because there’s this little thing called repression we must do in our society based on a theory by Frued taught to me by Mr. Black.
I loved Lindsay Dougan’s response–she should write for The Scroll! As a recovering Dean of Students, I am glad the rules have changed but have noticed that within one week of the change we have slid down the slippery slope to t-shirts, deep v-neck sweaters, exposed cami’s and hard tails. My guess is that a few will ruin it for the majority, so police yourselves! Tell the “you know who’s” to comply with the almost nonexistant dress code. Of course, my vote is for preppy uniforms: kilts, jackets and ties for the guys, pinafore dresses and peter pan collared shirts for the gals. Yes, in my perfect world…
Lindsay,
I’m deeply saddened that you are disappointed with the dress code reforms recently instituted. Many have worked hard to find an acceptable solution to this delicate situation, and it’s too bad that you find these changes so offensive. It’s very clear that you take these reforms personally, and I am truly sorry that the new dress code causes you anguish. What’s unclear to me is exactly where your confusion stems from. I have not encountered a single person that’s felt the dress code to be too ambiguous or confusing. In fact, I’m fairly certain that I have not talked to anyone who is not ecstatic about the changes.
This being said, like any major change, the new dress code comes with disadvantages. Giving students more freedom in choosing outfits invites violations, and certainly creates some increased difficulty in interpreting the rules. These expected “hardships” that come as a result of the changes are outweighed by the upside: more freedom. However, if you feel that the changes are so offensive that they force you to contemplate becoming a nudist, or invite sexual harassment, then I suggest you simply return to the old dress code. The new guidelines are an extension of the old rules, so if you are disenfranchised with the proposed changes, you can alleviate stress by wearing clothes that fit the old standard.
In addition, I would politely suggest that you refer to Mrs. Lubber’s e-mail regarding the new guidelines, where she asked the student body to “… see this as an opportunity to look appropriate and to have more choices, not as a point of argument about the parameters.” It seems that by nitpicking the details of this reform, you have undermined the entire point In my 10+ years at CCDS, I’ve come to appreciate moments when the administration listens to the student body and changes policies accordingly. I would suggest that you do the same.
Best,
Jack Wildman
Thanks for your opinion Jack. Some days you just have to go on a rant and let it out and that was one of those days.
Dear Jack,
That was a very eloquent response. Perhaps you should become an English teacher. Oh wait…
Sincerely,
Jayne