By the BARB

Several students are upset about the dress code enforcement at the Homecoming dance. We agree because it seems to have been applied inconsistently.

These people are angry because some girls were turned away while other girls with shorter dresses were snuck in by other authority figures when administrators were not looking.

We understand it is hard when only two people are judging the dresses, but many girls think it is unjust. They said they felt attacked and bullied.

We realize a dress code is needed because the students at the school need to be safe, but we also believe that the dress code needs to be reasonable and fair.

Something needs to be done to make sure there is equality at school dances. The BARB has some suggestions to solve most of the problems encountered Homecoming night.

1. If a dress code is to be imposed, then it must be imposed upon everyone, otherwise it gives the impression of favoritism.

2. A set of measurable standards must be established in the dress code policy, which is available at the main office.Without specific measurements, such as the length above the knee, students will not be as prepared for the dance.

3. Policy contradictions must be fixed. A lot of girls were confused by the dress code because there are contradicting guidelines. One states that dresses can be mid-thigh when sitting, while the other states that dresses should be no more than three inches above the knee. Not to mention the district doesn’t have a specific dance dress code rather a board policy that applies to school activities.

4. Ask female staff to dress-code girls and the male staff dress-code boys. It makes female students uncomfortable when a male administrator is judging their dresses, and we are sure it is the same for the administrator.

5. Update the dress code policy,with the help of the current community, keeping in mind that girls pay a lot of money for their dresses and expect to be able to wear them. Many girls who were dress-coded only attended the dance because their dates had already paid for non-refundable pictures.

Students pay for and organize those dances, and if they are unable to attend them then there wouldn’t be school dances. Many students would much rather just have these issues resolved than forfeit one of the best experiences of high school.