Morehouse Institutes Attire Policy, Bans Woman Clothing

(Oct. 15) The administration at Morehouse College enacted its new “Appropriate Attire Policy” this month banning, amongst other modes of dress, “clothing associated with women's garb.”

The policy sets a campus-wide expectation of a “well-dressed” man of Morehouse based on Dr. Franklin conceptualization of the Renaissance Man.  The 11 expectations outlined focus on what students should not wear while on campus or a school sponsored events.

Dr. William Bynum, Vice-President of the Office of Student Services, explained that students began voicing concerns to administration about attire on campus this semester. The administration partnered with the SGA to work with the student body on an attire policy.

“I would say that about 95% percent of the students on this campus feel that appearance matters to them,” Dr. William Bynumsaid. “We are not trying to isolate anyone that falls under a category, you can just look at it like its one out of eleven things being addressed.”

Some students feel that the new policy attempts to ignore and cover up how people express themselves, including their gender, through dress.

“Outward appearance assists with how you carry yourself, but either way you cannot change someone’s mindset,” Michael Edwards, Co-President of Safe Space, the college’s gay/straight alliance student organization, explained.

Edwards also expressed concern over the haste nature of the policy.

“Creating this policy was easy and quick. But the energy and effort put into something determines the greater result,” he said.

Other students feel that the policy ignores how the modern Morehouse man has evolved from conformity.

Sophomore Michael Leonard said he understood the administration’s efforts to look to great leaders of the past and how they used conformity and mainstream suit and tie appearances to change the world, but cautioned against stifling how less conventional leaders chose to express themselves.

“But let’s not forget about the Spike Lee’s of Morehouse, who are continuing to make great strides through unconventional methods,” he said.

The administration hopes that the policy will promote leadership and allow for students to become easily recognizable, a factor they believe will indirectly assist with campus safety through student identification.

“We see men of Morehouse as leaders and we feel that should be seen in appearance,” Dr. Bynum explained. “This policy will help to set a standard for college students that many other places do not meet, and Morehouse will lead in that.”

Morehouse College Appropriate Attire Policy
October 2009
Published in The Maroon Tiger

It is our expectation that students who select Morehouse do so because of the College's outstanding legacy of producing leaders. On the campus and at College-sponsored events and activities, students at Morehouse College will be expected to dress neatly and appropriately at all times.

Students who choose not to abide by this policy will be denied admission into class and various functions and services of the College if their manner of attire is inappropriate. Examples of inappropriate attire and/or appearance include but are not limited to:

1. No caps, do-rags and/or hoods in classrooms, the cafeteria, or other indoor venues. This policy item does not apply to headgear considered as a part of religious or cultural dress.
2. Sun glasses or "shades" are not to be work in class or at formal programs, unless medical documentation is provided to support use.
3. Decorative orthodontic appliances (e.g. "grillz") be they permanent or removable, shall not be worn on the campus or at College-sponsored events.
4. Jeans at major programs such as, Opening Convocation, Commencement, Founder's Day or other programs dictating professional, business casual attire, semi-formal or formal attire.
5. Clothing with derogatory, offense and/or lewd messages either in words or pictures.
6. Top and bottom coverings should be work at all times. No bare feet in public venues.
7. No sagging--the wearing of one's pants or shorts low enough to reveal undergarments or secondary layers of clothing.
8. Pajamas, shall not be worn while in public or in common areas of the College.
9. No wearing of clothing associated with women's garb (dresses, tops, tunics, purses, pumps, etc.) on the Morehouse campus or at College-sponsored events.
10. Additional dress regulations may be imposed upon students participating in certain extracurricular activities that are sponsored or organized by the College (e.g. athletic teams, the band, Glee Club, etc).
11. The college reserves the right to modify this policy as deemed appropriate.

*All administrative, faculty, students and support staff members are asked to assist in enforcing this policy and may report disregard or violations to the Office of Student Conduct. "