Here’s what Clovis Unified school students can wear under district’s new dress code

Clovis Unified school students can now grow beards and wear some military-style clothing under terms of the district’s new dress code.

The Clovis Unified School Board voted 7-0 Wednesday to adopt the revised student dress code as part of an annual policy review that received more scrutiny over the last year after a student-led effort to change the rules some said were sexist.

CUSD spokesperson Kelly Avants said Wednesday’s vote was the result of a months-long study initiated at the request of the district’s inter-school student council.

“These changes have addressed what we heard from the community. We are going to continue to do our annual review and when we identify things that needs to be addressed we will address them through that method and if a time comes that we need to do a deeper dive we will do that as well,” Avants said.

What’s different?

Notable changes to the code include the district reversing its longstanding policy against beards and allowing leggings, some military-style clothing, and frayed or distressed clothing.

All updated policies include caveats outlined in a document for students explaining the new rules.

“Garments are to be stitched evenly around, and if frayed, must be stitched to avoid further fraying. Distressing is allowable. Holes in clothing must be patched from behind so that no undergarments or bare skin is exposed,” the district said.

Other changes to the dress code include facial hair grooming changes.

“Hair, beard or moustache styles should be neatly groomed and not create disruptions to the learning environment.”

The changes came after the district held 115 meetings with students and parents across CUSD to discuss how the dress code could be updated to reflect current fashion trends, Avants said.

For example, previously all fraying on shorts were completely impermissible, now some fraying is acceptable so long as it is stitched to prevent further fraying.

“Shorts are to be hemmed stitched evenly around, and if frayed, must be stitched to avoid further fraying,” the new rules read.

Another article of clothing that has been updated is the permissibility of leggings.

“Leggings and jeggings are permitted but cannot be see through or have mesh or ruching above the knee. Tops worn with leggings and jeggings must not expose midriffs at any time during school or school-sponsored activities or events.”

Will the new dress code address how it’s enforced?

Previously one of the main issues students presented before the board was the enforcement of the dress code.

Annie Nguyen, a 2021 Clovis High School graduate, has been spearheading the movement to get the dress code changed for almost a year.

In 2021, Nguyen called on Clovis students to share their stories about the dress code and received over 200 comments.

“My main problems with the CUSD dress code as well as literally thousands of other students problems is the policing of feminine bodies on campus. I think it conveys a really harmful message,” Nguyen previously told the Bee.

Avants said the updated code will also be more discreet when it comes to enforcement of the dress code.

Students who previously shared their experiences before the board said the way the dress code has been enforced was “sexist”.

Students pointed to the fact that often some students would get reprimanded while others would not based on how the clothes fit on them; the biggest issue being how shorts fit on girls.

To address this issue the new rules now require all shorts have a 5 inch length inseam.

Avants said the decision gives students “wiggle room” but “still won’t be wearing really short shorts.”

Avants said 79% of the electronic public comments received Wednesday night were in favor of the new changes and that for most part the community was supportive of the recommendations approved.

Avants also said student voices were not the only voice the district considered when looking at making these changes.

“Our dress code is designed to address the gaumet of ages that we deal with,” said. “We heard from people saying the students should be allowed to dictate what the dress code is. That’s really antithetical to the fact that our population is 98% minors and that is why we really felt we should reach out to our parent community as well and that we not only listened to a single voice but we listened to our parents we listen to our staff, as well as to our students. All three of those voices were really important.”

You can read the full updated policy here.

This story was originally published January 13, 2022 at 9:51 AM.