At the majority of public schools, students are free of uniforms.  Self-expression is allowed and, in a way, celebrated.

York says that they “honor individuality.”  The Student Agenda reads: “York strives to create a community which does not judge people based on their dress or fashion, but which values individuality.”

However, there seems to always be a bit of tension at York about the disciplinary actions taken when students violate the dress code.

This year’s new policy for the dress code is that the student in violation has his or her ID confiscated and must go to change out of their inappropriate clothing into something else, usually a gym uniform.  Upon returning from changing, the student gets his or her ID back.

This new rule makes it harder for some students who admit to defying the dress code.

“I would go change into my gym shorts or shirt.  Right after that, though, I would change into my [original] clothes and just run away from the deans for the rest of the day,” senior Jamie Raimondi said.

Many students believe that the dress code is different for male and female students, which is what causes the tension.

“I don’t think guys have any problems with it… it’s not really for us,” junior Luke Libert said.

Girls see that, too.

“Girls get in trouble for their shoulders showing, but guys can get away with their pants being below their butts!” senior Carlie Ralston said.

Thoughts on the dress code from girls at York are anything but indifferent.

“The dress code is sexist!” junior Ali Barker said.  “It’s good to have restrictions on the length of shorts because nobody wants to see that, but nobody gets turned on by shoulders.”

The most common dress code offenses at York seem to be the too-short shorts.

Inadequate coverage is just one bullet point on the list of prohibited clothing choices in the Student Agenda.  Others include clothing that depicts or refers to alcohol, drugs, tobacco, gang/cult or other obscenities, advocates acts of violence…etc.

Students, however, are simply dressing for the weather.

“Shorts are shorts… it’s just clothing.  It shouldn’t have such an effect on people,” said junior Amanda Larson. “We should be able to wear what we want.  It’s [sic, they’re] our bodies.”