By Will Delaney ’14, Staff Writer

The dress code is an integral part of the Newark Academy culture as it helps shape the way students present themselves. Based on a simple principle of “looking respectable,” most students find it easy to follow. However, others choose to blatantly ignore it.  A recent trend at the Academy is the de facto relaxation of the stringency of the dress code. Between generally lenient teachers and a seeming tolerance from the administration, the dress code is held up mostly by tradition and habit, as opposed to strict enforcement.

It seems that few teachers will actually go out of their way to punish kids for disregarding the dress code. Craig Haratz ’14 believes that “the enforcement of the dress code is completely dependent upon which teacher you’re talking about. A lot don’t care, while others will point it out immediately”.  Sophomore Chloe Cubbage notes deterioration of the dress code, claiming, “I have definitely seen students recently who get away with being out of dress code very easily”.

Recently, Dean of Students Ms. Galvin decided to retire the robe that must be worn when one is out of dress code. Positive or negative, “getting robed” was definitely a reality of Newark Academy student culture that helped to convey a strict dress code.  Ms. Galvin, however, holds that the robe’s retirement in no way implies a looser dress code.  Rather, she reasons that,  “Some students had turned it into a robe of shame, which wasn’t the point. It’s supposed to be about getting people into appropriate clothing without having to call parents”. To replace the robe, Ms. Galvin currently keeps a collection of appropriate clothing in her office for students to wear if they break dress code.

Zach Gross ’14 believes that the dress code is almost unnecessary, as dressing well is a part of Newark Academy’s fabric.  “I don’t think the administration really needs to be to strict about it because people take it upon themselves to look nice.”  This quote is definitely a truism, as we still see the vast majority of the student body dressing well and to the standards of the dress code.  One student known for his commitment to dressing well is Junior Max Whitmore, who connects dressing well to his demeanor.  “Believe it or not, I’m more comfortable when I’m wearing khakis with a button down than jeans and a t-shirt.  Dressing well allows me to look my best and feel my best.  If I were to wear sweats, that would make me seem disinterested.”  Whitmore exemplifies the large portion of the student body that prides itself on dressing well.  He adds, “we should go back to ties and blazers as mandatory.  We’d look so fresh.”

Whether changes in the dress code would be welcome is a question of contention, and different members of the community have different opinions. Ben Shifrin ’13 believes that some infringements of the dress code are more worthy of punishment than others. “The rules like no neon colors I find kind of silly, but on the other hand, [students] should not be walking around in short shorts.” Mrs. Schottland, when asked whether the robe was an appropriate change, said, “It’s a very complex question, and I can see a lot of different sides. We have to remember that Newark Academy sets a model for students of how to dress, and to an extent, act. If Ms. Galvin is comfortable retiring the robe, then I think it’s completely appropriate.” Mrs. Schottland also said that fashion changes every day, and it follows that there are often natural, societal changes to what is appropriate. Mr. Gertler, veteran teacher and Academy alum, echoed her sentiment, commenting, “The dress code has certainly become more casual since I went here. You couldn’t even wear sneakers when I was a student!”

Societal change is not visible on a day-to-day basis, but it is apparent that in some cases, the dress code seems to be loosening.  The administration holds that the dress code is in no way relaxing, and students can still expect to be punished for disregard. While teachers may not always be as strict as the policy calls for, it is up to students to continue the Newark Academy tradition of dressing well.