Columnist Susan Snyder: Student’s decision is clothes call

Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 | 4:24 a.m.

Susan Snyder's column appears Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at snyder@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4082.

WEEKEND EDITION

September 25 - 26, 2004

Unacceptable attire:

Those not meeting these standards will be required to take "immediate corrective action," which could include being sent home to change.

Is this the stricter "Dress for Success" dress code adopted by some Clark County high schools?

Nope.

It's a typical office dress code.

Welcome to the real "Real World."

There is little doubt that Kim Jacobs is an outstanding young lady. Her stellar academic record is one reason. Another, more public, reason is the teen's decision earlier this month to wear a T-shirt bearing a religious message to school. That violated Liberty High School's stricter-than-most dress code.

Jacobs received a five-day suspension Thursday for violating the code that allows only khaki-colored bottoms and plain red, white or blue tops.

The debate has expanded from being one between her family and Liberty High officials to one that includes the Clark County School Board, the American Civil Liberties Union and parents and students from across the county who question whether it's legal for a school to enact a code stricter than district guidelines.

Talk about clothes that disrupt a classroom.

In an academic sense, I understand teenagers are all about finding their voices and independence. But teens are on target when they say adults just don't understand.

I know I don't.

For the 25 years since graduation I have had to decide what to wear, what to eat, when to go to bed and how to spend my money. There's remembering to pay bills, buy the milk, get the car's oil changed and put new batteries in the smoke detectors.

Tell me what to wear! Please! I'll sleep another 15 minutes.

I'm glad to have an office dress code. And I am glad no one has noticed how often I skirt its fringes -- or at least haven't sent me home for it.

Shoot, most days I'm glad my co-workers haven't invited me to lunch for one of The Learning Channel's "What Not to Wear" ambushes. I am certain the shirt bearing a sequined monkey violated something -- even when worn under a blazer.

However, I do understand how suspensions hurt. Employees of companies with dress codes typically aren't paid for time lost when they are sent home to change.

And I understand the frustration. There are days when I really want to break the code and express myself through jeans and hiking boots. What I typically want to say is, "I really don't feel like working today."

It sends a poor message in any working environment.

And that, it seems, is the point.