This year, the administration is cracking down on the dress code for the 2015 prom dresses.  An email has been sent out to all upperclassmen able to attend the dance with a strict list of guidelines as well as a contract that has to be printed out and signed by both attendee and parent.

These regulations have been posed a little out of hand.  While schools should have more of a guideline than simply school appropriate and student’s discretion, having there be a rule for a straight neckline is simply unattainable.

It is safe to say that girls are having a hard time finding dresses that meet the criteria.  Many girls, when asked if they agree or disagree with the new rules said that they strongly disagree.

“I haven’t gone to a lot of dances here, but I know for sure that one dress that I wore broke every single rule that is now imposed,” said Sydney McKnight, a senior honor student of four years.  Dresses, such as McKnight’s, have been sweetheart neckline, open back and two-piece in the past.  There have also been dresses far higher than five inches above the knee seen as acceptable inside past dances.

These guidelines have not only been drawn over the top, but they have been made after many students have already bought dresses for the event.  Dresses are not allowed to have an open back lower than the bra strap level, the neckline cannot dip lower than the line made from armpit to armpit, and you are not allowed to pin the dress or wear a shawl as was allowed in the past.  When asked about what could be done about the dress that they already bought, the administration had no answer and simply suggested that the student wear an old dress.  The average prom dress, however, is around $500 and can be a hard dent in someone’s’ finances for something that they can no longer wear.

This situation overall was poorly handled.  Guidelines were not set in time and no revisions are being made as result of bad planning on administration’s part.  Most communication from students or parents has not been answered.  However, there is a solution.

A similar story that could show a possible outcome of this issue is the Griffith vs Hammond High game.  Players broke out into a physical altercation during the game, and both teams were suspended.  No rule in the IHSAA rules stated that such measures needed to be reached.  As a result, after further discussion, the suspension was lifted and the players were able to compete in sectionals.  The school has set ridiculous rules for the dress code, however, there is still time to have the contract lifted, or modify some of the rules set.

While restrictions should be applied, this is not the way that it should be done.  Rules should not be added in the middle of the year.  However, if this is not an option, there should be a way to allow student who have already bought their dress to still attend the dance, and continue the rules with those who have not.  Students, at the beginning of the year, sign a contract after reading over the rules in the handbook.  Administration should honor this contract by waiting to add new rules until the next handbook is released.

As well as adding a financial burden on students, as well as seniors saving for college, these rules are stressing people out to the point of no return.

“I am not even sure that I want to go anymore because all of this is getting to be so stressful.” said senior Carina Wedryk.

If the administration continues with these rules, there may be the same outcome at prom as there was for this year’s winter formal.  They are taking the fun and glamour out of the entire night by setting the standards at archaic levels.

“I don’t think the school took all these things into consideration since the dresses they sell now don’t fit any of their ‘requirements’ unless you buy a grandmas dress.” said frustrated senior Azalia Segura.

Sydney McKnight adds, “Open backs, for example, come in different varieties and not all of them are ‘scandalous’. The neckline expectation is also not practical. A majority of dress necklines are sweetheart.”