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.