Before you read on, you may want to read this: Testing Center Reminds Students of Dress and Grooming Standards
Last night in the grocery store I received a text from my brother that read, "Hey, what no skinny jeans?..." I was so confused. I was with friends and around the same time they began this discussion. I wasn't surprised to hear that our school newspaper, The Scroll, wrote on such a controversial issue. This is a student run newspaper. Students will try and find any bit of headline appealing subject possible.
My friends and I went on last night discussing the topic and even ended up making a run to the school to grab the remaining newspapers left ina the closest building to us. After reading the article we realized that the article was very well written--no issue there as assumed. The problem was with the unprofessional comments made by the testing center.
Articles and broadcasts are flooding all media outlets because of the comments made by BYU-Idaho Testing Manager, John Dexter. The most surprising comment to me was the fact that he recognized the students overzealous execution of the rule but then ended up making the same mistake with his quote,"If a student prays and they think that the tight ‘formfitting’ clothing is accepted by the Lord, they have not asked, or have not asked the right question, or they have chosen an answer for their own gratification. I don’t believe the Lord would give approval to anyone to be disobedient to the CES Dress and Grooming Standards." Oh. My. Calm down. He even said this after prefacing that he can be a little rash but that he modified the statement so that it is not too harsh. My question is how does this man define 'harsh'?
The point is--bad PR move. Although this is a school newspaper, you should never take that lightly. I don't know if he was misquoted (which I wouldn't doubt because of the reputation of the newspaper) and I don't doubt that John Dexter is a good man but as an administrator on campus, he should have been more cautious and stuck with the facts and left out the praying part. Esh. Religious or not, you don't tell someone that they did or didn't get an answer to their prayers--especially in that tone.
Well, needless to say, there is some clean up to do. University Communications has come out with a statement. Better late than never.
BYU-Idaho has not identified “skinny jeans” as a specific violation of the dress and grooming standard. We are aware of the incident in the Testing Center, and the Student Honor Office has worked with the Testing Center to correct the issue.
The wording in the BYU-Idaho dress and grooming standard regarding formfitting clothing is as follows: “Clothing is inappropriate when it is sleeveless, strapless, backless, or revealing. It should not have slits above the knee or be formfitting.”The foundation of this standard comes from “For the Strength of Youth” which states, “Immodest clothing includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire. Young women should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner.”
The Testing Center has not made any new standard, nor has there been a ban of a particular piece of clothing. The effort of the Testing Center as well as with other employees and students is to encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code.
Shheeesh, that was a big mess, huh!
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