The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 52, Ed. 1, Friday, April 26, 2002 Page: 3 of 10
ten pages : illus. ; page 13 x 8 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Accent
Optimist Friday April 26 2002 3 il
Keep it in the closet
As summer approaches students struggle
to dress for tne weather and for class
Graphics horn Jcrcw.com
Photos by Chcresc Archie
Melissa Dossey
Managing Editor
1vo things are locked In battle as the summer
months creep towards students.
They are in constant conflict involved in a
war with no plausible end.
In one corner: the Texas heat.
In the other: the ACU dress code.
The temperature's rising and so too are the
lengths or shorts and skirts across campus.
Sleeves are becoming non-existent and the
word "skirt" is used lightly.
In the student code of conduct the dress code
Is outlined as "modest" and in line with
"Christian appropriateness."
And as stated in the 2001-02 Student Guide
some extremes are not acceptable like halter
tops crop tops open midriffs and short andor
revealing skirts and shorts usually meaning
higher than mid-thigh.
It also says that implementing the dress code
and enforcing it arc the responsibility of the
entire university community. '
And people like Joanna Martin director of
Nelson Hall help to carry that out.
Martin said that she mostly sees shirts and
shorts that break the dress code. Martin also said
that she usually sees several violations a day 4
or 5.
"It's hard to say exactly how many; it depends
on the weather and time of day" Martin said.
She said that this number is normal for this
time of year. And as for disciplinary action
Martin said that there's really not a whole lot she
can do and that an issue like this is hard to reg-
ulate. "I don't sit in the lobby watching every person
walk out the door so it's easy to leave the build-
ing without me personally seeing someone
dressed inappropriately" Martin said. "However
in my position as an 'enforcer' of rules I can ask
the students to go change."
If there is a continual problem Martin said
she has a more serious conversation.
"Sometimes it's a casual comment about
needing to change or not wearing that type
of shirt again and sometimes its a more
serious chat about honoring yourself
and those around you honoring
God in all you do including
what you wear and
how you behave
and the values of
modesty in general"
Martin said.
Students violate the
dress code for several
reasons.
According to Martin
fads and fashion is one
reason.
"Some people just
don't think about it being
against the rules" Martin
said. "In the big picture I
think it's a lack of respect
for themselves and others
around them."
For such a continual
problem Martin doesn't
see an easy campus-
wide solution around the
corner.
"I think it's going to
take a campus-wide
change and students
being willing to go
against the norm of our
society and culture"
Martin said. "Females
need to respect them-
selves and the men
around them enough to cover their bodies."
Tor Martin following the dress code even as a
young girl was not a problem even when
growing up In south Arkansas where an average
summer day is 105 degrees with 90 percent
humidity and no wind.
"It's never been a big issue for me personally"
Martin said. "I had parents who taught me to
dress modestly so throughout my whole life I
was never allowed to wear clothing that didn't
cover my body."
Now as she is not college-aged she said that
though she likes to be "in style" the fashion issue
is a minor one.
"I also have grown in confidence in Cod and
in myself that dressing modestly is a much more
important than avoiding a few drops of sweat"
Martin said.
One of the most important issues involving
the dress code at ACU according to Martin is
keeping the men on campus from temptation.
"I have had the opportunity to have some dis-
cussions with Christian men where they shared
their struggles with avoiding lustful thoughts
when women all around them are dressed
immodestly" Martin said. "I would never want to
add to that struggle so it has helped me to be
more discerning on my own about what is
appropriate to wear. I have also learned that
godly men greatly
respect ladies who
honor both them
selves and the men
around them
enough to be
clothed."
HKflB?) i i -
lafllBKLL-i
iBlHVMHflBYBVBvlBYt " " '
BBBBBBBBBBviBHfiiHMftiniiBt
rVBBBBBifiTVBnViZd
v & IBBBHPKMl&jzSJf&tv&ii
jKSii2m:'''v!SBBB9BBQflHi
TOS&'flLlwBBHElBBHBB
iSmMht1! ffBBVBBBBFBBBSiH
BBb wK v ilflaBBKBBBlBBBl
ABBBa HBBBBBb $ iyBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
i EclllH .a wH
BBBBBBA Bs9BBBt- SBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
.BVBYbYBm BBWBVBYjiBWBVBV
.HHHHHHHHHHRk. wTst ml HM
l .-.- ' .HSBMmiHHKSi- . ' "
?'rn-3aiMiHBfikiM
f KhhH i
BBBBBBBBBBBBBn BrjBBBBBBBHrV ? BBB :
BBBBBBBBBBBB BrdBBBBBBHFI'C: BBB i
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBi mr:-:--;: I
bIbIbIbIbIbM KmmWMWWm
b.b.b.b.b.bW HiiiHiH i
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB7 BVHJPfH:.j;.vbjlHHH
BVBBVBBVBBVBBVBBVBBVBBVB7 bbBVBBVBBVBBVBk'F'" 3
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBi BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBkr!?:!22BBBBBB 5
one-sleeve does under the clause HmvmvmvmvmvjnagsHMHBHHHHB j
the dress HHHHHHHHHKSHHHHHHHHIHHHHHHH 3
'? I
BBBBBh
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 52, Ed. 1, Friday, April 26, 2002, newspaper, April 26, 2002; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101770/m1/3/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.