Embedded Files
Signs in the BWC outline current regulations.
During the athletics department staff meeting on Sept. 18, coaches were informed that a “shirt ordinance” would be instated in the Burns Wellness Commons (BWC). However, the ordinance has not been put in place and there is currently no public timeline for its implementation.
The new rule, which was initially scheduled to go into place on Oct. 6, would have mandated that anyone utilizing the BWC wear a shirt and shoes at all times in the building, including during athletic practices.
Director of Athletics Jessica Cherry, helped initiate the policy change.
“People who are working out in the BWC, no matter where it is, should be fully covered. No sports bras, no open midriffs, the guys that play shirts and skins– no more shirts and skins. We’ll just provide pinnies for them,” said Cherry.
Cherry explained that consistency was necessary going forward.
"People are taking liberties… they’re [shirts] getting smaller and smaller and I guess some of the women might feel ‘well if a guy doesn't have to wear a shirt then I’m going to wear as little as possible. It's just not what we stand for,” she said.
Cherry stressed that she does not believe a particular gender is to blame and concluded that the main imperative behind the ordinance was to move closer to the school's Benedictine values.
"We always go back to our values,” said Cherry.
She also pointed out that policies are an important tool to prevent the spread of germs on the equipment in the BWC and that the ordinance could help mitigate health and safety concerns.
Cross country and track coach Chad Samela voiced that he has always required his athletes to wear shirts during practices on the indoor track and said that he believed there has always been a rule when it comes to wearing shirts in the athletics facilities.
“It’s pretty standard. You don’t see many commercial gyms that allow their patrons to work out without shirts, and I don't see any particular reason why we should be any different,” said Samela.
However, not all BWC users are aware of any expectations regarding clothing, and were surprised to hear about the proposed ordinance. Audrey Lahammer is the marketing director for Outdoor Pursuit, climbing wall staff, and an athlete. She noted that if she hadn’t received an email from her coach she wouldn't have known of any new rules.
“I regularly work out in a crop-top and sports bra because it's comfortable and helps me stay cool, especially since it gets really hot in the BWC. Many gyms allow that kind of workout clothing so it feels unnecessary to suddenly create restrictions,” Lahammer said.
Concerns about the policies' effect on BWC users that go beyond comfort. Students have voiced worries that this kind of messaging is harmful to how bodies are perceived.
“Not only do I think that it’s going to make a lot of people’s workouts less comfortable, especially endurance athletes, but I think that it’s also super regressive in terms of how people think about their bodies. When we’re asked to ‘cover up’ and told that our bodies are something to hide, I think it has super negative effects on the way that we all feel, about both our own bodies and others’,” said Trygve Rux, two sport athlete and undergraduate senior.
Other students criticised the supposed motivations behind the rule.
“I am not aware of people’s torsos being a common place for the build up of bacteria and germs, or that covering them up will impact the cleanliness of a gym,” said Elona Greene, senior and nordic skiing team captain.
She also argued that the college’s values have nothing to say about clothing and that a rule like the intended dress code is more harmful than helpful.
“It sets the standard for far more drastic decreases in freedom while also limiting student's ability to feel comfortable in a space that is created for them. Students can easily demonstrate all five Benedictine values in their lives while working out in whatever they feel best suits them and their workout. The Benedictine values are reflections of character, not clothing,” said Greene.
Cherry claimed that the rule would be rolled out gradually and without force. She said that information about the rule would eventually be put on the school’s website, Saintslife, and signs around the BWC. However, after initial reactions from students and administration, Cherry delayed the policy’s implementation.
“I had to put it on hold,” she said.
There is currently no public timeline for the dress code’s implementation. According to the college’s Policy Review and Implementation guidelines, the dress code would likely need to go through a “Standard Review” process, which may include consulting with experts or external resources, a campus-wide comment period, and legal review.
By: Kai Donnelly
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