Modesty is the first thing that comes to mind when describing the dress code Andrews University asks of its students in its student handbook (2021-22). The guideline for students of all identities is simple: you can wear anything as long as it fits, covers the torso, and does not disrupt a learning environment.
Technically, sportswear is not allowed inside the classroom but only inside the gym and at sporting activities. The school discourages the use of jewelry and piercings but does not outright forbid it, with “wedding and engagement rings” specifically allowed. However, this has not been the case since the rules on dress codes have been relaxed over the course of time. Back in 2016, jewelry and even tank tops were outright forbidden for students. Andrews has moved forward, and the policing of clothing has almost become a thing of the past, with only extreme cases being addressed for violating the dress code.
I went out on campus to see if there was a consensus on the campus dress code. I found that most students initially did not know that there was a dress code, and there was a general feeling of indifference to the rules. While I tried to find more positive perspectives, I was not able to find any students with any other perspective than what had been said. Here are some of the resulting quotes:
“I did not know there was a dress code on campus, but I am completely fine with having it.”
Bianca Rinko (senior, religion and education)
“I think it’s weird. I am pretty sure that the school is not the ultimate authority, and Jesus died for me whether I am wearing a tank top or a crop top or jewelry. Me wearing those things won’t keep me out of heaven. If people are distracted by it, here is a tip: avert your gaze.”
Anonymous
“I think the dress code can be kind of sometimes annoying because I feel like it just makes people want to go against it more.”
Isabella Goncalves (junior, spanish)
“In my perspective, they don’t really enforce the dress code, if there is one.”
Ceiry Flores (sophomore, speech pathology)
“I had no idea there was a dress code.”
Brooklyn Anderson (freshman, animal science)
“I don’t know what the dress code is.”
Andres Weiss (junior, pre-physical therapy)
“I was not aware that we have a dress code. Considering that this is an Adventist University, I guess I am not surprised. Everyone dresses the way that they want to express themselves, and I don’t think anything has been too scandalous for the university.”
Alaina Burghardt (senior, Spanish and global studies)
Most students don’t even know that there is a dress code, and they seem indifferent to the idea of one. However, from what I have gathered, it is clear that the students would not want a stricter dress code. They dress to express themselves, and the majority of students have always been within the bounds of modesty. The enforcement of the dress code seems to be only done in rare extreme cases: this may be why most students don’t seriously consider the existence of the code. Andrews University does not seem to ask for much in the way of a dress code here on campus. They don’t require a uniform, nor do they allow students to wear anything they want. All they ask is a mean between both extremes: modesty.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.