A woman sat cross-legged with perfect posture in Walter Hall room 235 on Monday night. Wearing a cream-colored sweater that complemented her black, knee-length pencil skirt and black high heels, she called Ohio University's Graduate Student Senate meeting to order with the knock of a gavel.
President Tracy Kelly entered her post with the goal of increased structure and a more-formal atmosphere to be taken more seriously by administrators.
Although Kelly did not enact a formal dress code and does not use sanctions to punish members wearing shorts and T-shirts, she said proper dress is necessary to gain respect.
We're not a bunch of kids who get together every other week and talk
said Kelly, who wants the senators to recognize their roles as advocates.
It's important that we're aware of the messages that we send and that we do really quality work and that we get the university community to recognize our legitimacy Kelly said. In the past that hasn't really been the case
and that's really unfortunate.
Kelly noted that the two previous senates - the administrations of Dominic Barbato in 2007-2008 and Pete Wickman in 2008-2009 - had a more relaxed form of dress.
They've done excellent work
but they didn't get the credit they deserved because they didn't necessarily see the legitimacy of the organization
she said.
Barbato and Wickman both wore T-shirts and shorts to not only senate meetings, but also meetings with administrators, said James Archibald, Senate's African American Affairs commissioner.
Archibald has served on the senate for the past three years, working with Barbato, Wickman and now Kelly.
Wickman could not be reached for comment, and Barbato refused to comment.
I do think in the past that the dress has affected a lot of our productivity and our effectiveness because the administration was inclined to take us less serious
said Archibald, noting that the effect was not major.
Because senators are looking more professional for meetings, Archibald said ears have opened more than in the past.
If it looks good
people will try it
Archibald said, comparing the senate to food.
While Graduate Student Senate just started to push for a more formal dress code, Student Senate has always had an understood business casual dress code, said Matt Tokarskey, intern director who has served on Student Senate for the past four years.
Business casual consists of dress slacks, skirts or khaki pants; sweaters, collared or button-down shirts and polos; loafers, heels, flats, boots and conservative athletic shoes, according to About.com.
Jay Ryu, associate professor for OU's political science department, said governing bodies around the country have an informal standard of dress, which is deemed appropriate for meetings.
He said there is a shared belief in our culture that if a representative body dresses in a serious manner - business casual or business formal - it will have more of a conscience and guarantee a certain level of respect from peers.
Archibald said administrators have been more willing to listen to the senate this year, a change he credits to the change in dress.
We're up and coming
so we have to do everything possible to make sure we are representing ourselves to our best ability
Archibald said. Everything needs to be spotless and tight. You have a lot of respect for an organization that does that. How can you not?
