CBS apparently didn’t want any “wardrobe malfunctions” as part of the program for this year’s Grammy Awards. Earlier this week, the network had asked stars to cover up for the event in a memo in one of the more awkwardly-worded, high-profile requests in recent memory.
Some of us remember CBS broadcasting the now infamous Super Bowl halftime show when Janet Jackson gave a show not just football fans won’t soon forget. In fact, I’d argue that most people can’t even name the two teams that played that year (New England beat Carolina 32-29).
Knowing that millions of eyes would be watching the Grammy’s, the network decided to cover its ass (pun intended).
Although this hardly qualified as being newsworthy, it succeeded in making me think about what’s “appropriate” in the realm of the college classroom. College is traditionally seen as the place where students becomes individuals and carve out an identity.
The overwhelming majority of Skyline students are just entering adulthood and shaking off those last layers of who they were in high school. For some however, that transition includes outrageous outfits often leaving little to the imagination.
There’s a difference between what I’m referring to and being casual. I don’t consider myself too far removed from the “cool kid” generation at 26 years old and I’m all for looking good, but is the classroom the right place to be in super loose pajamas or skin-tight leggings? The age-old advice of “dress for the job you want, not the job you have” should apply in college.
Unless a student has established his/ herself as diligent and hard working (and I’m sure that not all of us have), that new style may not be making the right impression on our professors. Remember, we might need a recommendation from them one day. Do we really think it’s wise to ask in our pajamas?
The case can be made that popular musicians have paid those dues and have earned the right to be “unique.”
They’ve presumably worked hard recording their albums, rehearsed for live shows, and sold millions of records earning the respect of their contemporaries. Okay, that’s fair. Have we as community college students earned it? The quick answer is no.
We are in school to get an education and use the skills we acquire toward our future careers. We want the respect of our professors, peers, and employers. What’s an impressive résumé without an equally impressive applicant to match?
A formal request à la CBS isn’t necessary for Skyline College but a baby step towards the real world can prove beneficial in the long-term. Arriving late, wearing sloppy or revealing outfits would most-likely have you sent home from your workplace, so why would you go to class that way? Like it or not, your appearance sends a message and it’s important to understand what that message is.
