Fact or Rumor: Are skirts being removed from DCP’s uniform?
Administration is discussing a change, but a decision has not been made.
DePaul Prep students follow a dress code of khaki pants, skirts, and shorts as well as Tommy Hilfiger polo shirts and crewnecks. But many students have heard that the DePaul College Prep administration will possibly no longer permit students to wear the school skirt as part of their uniform. Junior Maggie Taylor shared, “Many of my friends have come up to me asking if I heard that we might not be allowed to wear school skirts anymore.”
But is this true?
Assistant Principal Joe Voss confirmed students have been discussing this rumor and that he has received questions about it.
But the real question is, is this uniform change true or just a rumor? The answer is, the topic is currently up for discussion, but no policy has been changed for next year. Voss stated, “It is currently in discussion with the administration team just because of some of the issues we’ve been dealing with the past couple of years.”
School discipline records have shown that a large number of students have been disciplined for the length of their skirts not only this year but in many years prior. The student handbook specifically states, “Skirts may NOT be rolled up at the waist” under the uniform requirements and dress code. However, many students at DePaul Prep have failed to follow this rule.
Voss expressed that there have been multiple occasions where faculty members, both male and female, have personally spoken to him about the discomfort they feel speaking with students about extensively rolled skirts. “Having to constantly tell students to unroll their skirts with no change is beginning to become repetitive.”
Voss added, “Therefore, the Administration feels it would be easier if the problem was eliminated altogether.”
Additionally, the Administration is discussing other potential benefits of replacing skirts with a uniform alternative. Voss mentioned faculty is now looking into the fact that in Science classes, “the lab safety guidelines specifically state that there can be no skin exposure when working with chemicals.” This was something that was not taken into account previously but was brought to attention when discussing the pros and cons of getting rid of skirts. Though this wasn’t the administration’s main concern when addressing the skirt matter, it is a point that further presents the benefits of its removal.
So what would this look like in terms of the future? If the DePaul Prep Administration were to set this uniform change in place it potentially would be enforced next school year. This would allow incoming students to have enough time to purchase the necessary acceptable uniform.
Administration and staff will be meeting to further discuss this issue. If they choose to dismiss khaki skirts, Mr.Voss said “The new acceptable uniform for students who regularly wear skirts, if changes were to be made, would be khaki pants or possibly skorts (skirts with built-in shorts).”
In response to the potential idea of replacing skirts, DePaul Prep sophomore Caroline Hartman said she understood the reasons but hoped skirts could remain. “I get the concerns that DePaul has on the matter, I just wish it could be avoided,” she said.
“I like having the option to wear my skirt. It makes the uniform more diverse.”
Junior Trudy Comiskey, who wears her skirt about three times a week, agreed with Hartman’s sentiments.
“It makes me feel less restricted with my uniform options.”
However, she does understand the issue that DePaul Prep is facing. “I hope that there can be a median between enforcing rules and keeping students happy.”
Though students are not celebrating the possible removal of school skirts, they are still keeping in mind DePaul Prep’s duty as a Catholic high school and are remaining optimistic in terms of finding a middle ground.
Jessica Meier • Nov 15, 2022 at 11:58 am
Your are a very talented individual who has a good eye when it comes to writing. Cant wait to hear more from one of my favorite ram writers. Keep it up Lucia! I will be cheering you on.
Avery Linnemeyer • Nov 9, 2022 at 1:55 pm
Love this article. I think we need to come up with some genuine, realistic alternatives to getting on top of the “issues” of skirts rather than just flat out banning them. Skirts are important to the students of DePaul for more reasons than people think, and it really needs to be openly discussed with the actual students. Instead of eliminating the supposed problem, we have to actually put some energy into fixing it from a community stand point.
Riley • Nov 8, 2022 at 11:13 am
With the possible skirt removal, do you think that this issue may be seen less as we get closer to the winter season or will it continue to rise as we get more students? I have also noticed people rolling the skirts in the halls, but sometimes its due to the size of the skirt compared to the size of the person. With this considered, great article definitely will read a follow up!
Anne Palmer • Nov 8, 2022 at 11:07 am
Thank you for informing the students body on this well-known rumor. It is nice to know that they are trying to find solutions that will make everyone happy. Though I will not be enrolled next year I hope that the administration finds a way to fix this issue.
Keeara(Keke) Davis-Peterson • Nov 8, 2022 at 9:05 am
I agree that students should have the right to choose what uniform bottom, because of the right to be diverse in a uniform school. But, as a Senior Class Rep and putting myself in the shoes of the faculty, they’ve stated over and over how much they disapprove of how short the girls wear their skirts. So, in administrations eyes their getting rid of the problem all together. I think this could be prevented by giving students another chance, and to those students who like wearing their skirts really short, buy a skirt at the appropriate length or buying a skirt that’ll fit you in terms of body type and however you see fit.