-Photo contributed by Cassie Lomison
Abby Conley
Guest Contributor
November 18, 2005
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-Photo contributed by Cassie Lomison |
As a student ambassador for Milligan College, life is not always easy. For example, one day in the midst of a tour, I realized my roommate was still asleep in her upper bunk. Another time, a parent asked my ACT score. Yet another asked if Milligan uses the “correct” version of the Bible in its courses. However, I have never felt that I had to misrepresent Milligan in any way.
Recently, though, my prayer life has been challenged greatly, for whenever I
enter the cafeteria with a prospective student and his or her family, I feel a
need to secretly whisper a prayer. I am not warding off food poisoning or
mystery meat; rather, I am hoping that everyone will be appropriately clad.
Primarily, I am hoping that all the females, particularly underclassmen, are
wearing clothing that could not be mistaken for underwear, lingerie, swimwear or
general beach attire.
I’m not pushing for long plaid skirts, knee socks and button-up blouses, ladies.
However, I would like to offer a few suggestions for choosing clothing before
exiting the room.
1. Workout clothes are for working out. Used for such, they are quite
appropriate; otherwise, they just show too much skin.
2. Consider size - of clothing and body parts. A size 2 body in size 0 pants
looks just as gross as a size 20 body in size 18 pants. Also, think support. If
you need elaboration, feel free to come see me.
3. We live in a temperature-controlled society - dress accordingly. There's no
need to wear short shorts, even in August, because you just sit in class
shivering, waiting for the chance to get outside. The same thing goes for
spaghetti straps, tanks tops and short skirts. Also, if you haven’t noticed,
it’s November! It’s actually cold outside! Therefore, jeans with large holes in
the thighs are not appropriate.
4. You’re going to class! Different clothes are appropriate for different
settings. For class, conservative is better. Shirts can meet pants and necklines
can come near the neck. Try it; I promise you won’t suffocate.
Milligan as we know it has not felt the need for a strict dress code. Although
professors can set guidelines within their classes, as a whole, we are merely
bidden to dress modestly.
As college students, we claim to be adults and want to be treated as such. Yet,
many of us are dressing in ways that indicate a parent’s guidance is still
needed. Colleges throughout the country have felt compelled to set standards for
dress; if the current trend continues, I can see that Milligan would feel forced
to do the same.
However, I am not only angry because of the discomfort I feel because we are at
Milligan College but because of what you are saying about yourselves.
Realize that you are only selling yourselves short. Very few people on this
campus have not seen far worse clothes than what you are choosing to wear.
However, by choosing this attire, you are sending the wrong message. You’re
telling the world that your body is the only thing you have worth displaying.
By coming to Milligan, you are claiming to be an intelligent woman of faith; why
are you throwing away that claim to be a sex object? You live in an age when
women have as many opportunities as men. You don’t have to fight for the right
to vote, to receive an education or to follow your own dreams. The entire world
is open to you. You have gifts of artistry, athleticism and intelligence to
offer to this campus and the world.
These are qualities that will last a lifetime, unlike your body, which, I hate
to tell you, will eventually wrinkle and sag just like every one else’s.
Yet, you choose to dress as if you are only a body to be ogled. If all you have
to offer is your body, then go down to The Mouse’s Ear. Otherwise, become the
woman you claim to be.