Guidelines and Living An Example

After teaching, two more important concepts to utilize in promoting modesty on our campus are guidelines and living an exaple. Coming after this teaching, but only after, is guidelines. This tends to be a touchier issue and must be handled with care. Most importantly, it should be emphasized that principle is what matters. This is why teaching must precede any guidelines. It needs to be understood that whether or not a woman’s heart is open to God and His teaching on this topic is much more vital than the specifics of what she wears.

Once this is in place, however, then I believe that some guidelines can be effective. Currently, the Student Handbook at our college states, “Students are expected to apply Christian principles and mature judgment to dress and appearance. The college stresses modesty, appropriateness and neatness. To maintain an academic atmosphere, neat street clothing is appropriate on campus. Immodest clothing such as tight-fitting garments, low necklines, short skirts, short shorts, tank tops, bare-midriff items, obscene, offensive slogans or graphics are not appropriate…” (Handbook, 19)

In responding to this statement, it is obvious that this dress code does not affect how students dress. I have seen every one of those items labeled “not appropriate” on our campus and most of them I have observed in class. I am rather sure that most students have not even read this statement. I hadn’t, until I looked it up for this project. I believe that our college needs to revamp their approach to this dress code. First, as part of teaching, this dress code needs to be shared. It does very little when no one knows about it. It could be addressed as part of the first girls’ worship of the year, it could be addressed at chapel, or in some other way. However it’s done, students need to hear it. Secondly, students need encouragement to follow it. I don’t believe that strict discipline for wearing any of those items is the answer, but I do think that it could be helpful for girls’ deans to be given the responsibility to talk with girls who clearly display immodest dress. Not to harshly reprove them, but to kindly point out the issue and try to help them understand it. Should they enforce it further? I don’t know. Perhaps it could be helpful. Perhaps not. That isn’t what is vital to carrying out an atmosphere of purity and modesty on our campus.

Lastly, example is also very important. I believe that the faculty plays an important role in modeling Christian values to the students on our campus. Here, I see success on our campus. I have appreciated the dress of my teachers – it’s typically very tasteful and modest. I am glad that the faculty seems to exhibit this quality. If we can combine this with teaching and guidelines, I believe that we could have an effective impact on our campus.