Changes to the 2019-20 Student Handbook allowed mid-thigh length shorts to be worn to class and chapel. The Harding University Student Handbook was under construction during spring and summer 2019. Official changes made for the 2019-20 school year were the result of a collaboration between board leadership, student input and faculty discussion as an attempt by the administration to respond adequately to a changing culture with respect to the enduring word of God. "A university is, by its very nature, a dynamic community where discussions are constantly taking place about the ways we organize and regulate ourselves in a constantly changing world," President Bruce McLarty said in an email to the student body in mid-July. McLarty said changes and alterations were discussed with the start of each new school year. In 2019, however, the handbook included more than clarifications and specifications. One of the most significant changes to the handbook, especially visible in the first few weeks of school, was the updated rule on shorts as appropriate daily apparel. The 2019-20 school year was the first in Harding history to allow students to wear shorts to class and chapel. "I think that it'll definitely affect our storytelling ability, because we're going to be the group of students that was here for the shorts change," senior Michael Krupka, Student Association president, said. "I hope that [the change] gives students more opportunities to stay outside longer and chat and mingle in between classes because they feel more comfortable outdoors. That's the main effect that I hope would be happening." The student body had mixed reactions to the dress code change. Though feedback was mostly positive, the trend gained momentum slowly in the earliest days of the fall 2019 semester. By the end of the first week, it seemed a growing number of students sported their shorts Students abiding by the new dress code talk after chapel in front of the Student Center Sept. 10, 2019. President Bruce Mclarty announced the dress code change via email before the fall 2019 semester began. I photo courtesy of Jeff Montgomery Junior James Baker and sophomore Braden Mathews walk to chapel Oct. 3, 2019. In addition to dress code changes regarding shorts, hats were also allowed to be worn to class infall 2019. I photo courtesy of Jeff Montgomery enthusiastically in and out of the classroom.' While excited about the progress -- especially in the heat of August -- some students believed the amendment to the rules was overdue. "The [old] rule was supposed to make us look more professional when we went to class," junior Travis Buford said. "Yet, in reality, we did not have to look professional to go to class because we got to wear sweatpants and other unprofessional clothing." Zach Neal, dean of students, said professionalism can be determined on a class-by-class basis. Rather than prohibiting shorts campus-wide, teachers could request students wear specific attire suited to the situation. Despite overwhelming sense of approval of the rule change, a persisting sect of students pushed for more change. While some were comfortable enough with the current state of rules to forgo the push toward reformation, there would continue to be groups yearning for more. "There's always going to be an undercurrent among college-aged kids to reform something," Krupka said. "We are in this age where we want to fix things; we want to make things better. And that's a wonderful thing, and we have the most energy to do it." story by Everett Kirkman student life 33
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==