new thread
Well, I haven't gotten a haircut since August (almost 6 months) and just today (2 and a half months before HS graduation) my principal calls me in to his office telling me I need a haircut. It's about totally over my ears, all over the top it's about 4.5 inches, and a little past my collar in the back. I had been trimming the sideburns and around the ears myself until about a month and a half ago. I really like how it looks now (and don't want to break the near 6 month record). First of, if I get a cut how much do you think I should get off? I was thinking halfway up the ear and in the back but nothing off the top. Also I was planning to try and supergel it behind the ears and on top so it looks like I got a haircut (I only have to see him once so he can check it). That plan would also involve mass avoidance of him, which I think I can pull off. I'll also trim in the back like I usually do because it's long there. So, what do you think?
What happens if you don't get it cut?
If I don't and don't try to hide it by gelling it behind the ears, I'll probably get detention/suspension until I do.
You can't sentence a guy to months of imprisonment for being a longhair. Such punishment is unreasonable for the offense. A common tactic of hair nazis to attempt a runaround of that messy little constitutional provision is to try to draw you into a game where they get you to thinking that what was really one act - deciding to keep your hair - is a string of minor infractions. You must not allow them to draw you into that game.
If you choose to reject their policy, you must make it clear that you decide to keep your hair for all time, as one single decision and act. You may wish to do that in writing to make that very clear. You may as a result receive some form of punishment for your act.
You must not thereafter respond to further requests, because if you do so, they will attempt to count each such response as another violation. Nor should you acquiesce in any suggested punishment for such. Tell them you've served your time for that and refuse further punishment. It is unlawful to punish someone twice for the same offense.
Bill, I agree with your advice. However, private schools are not bound by most civil laws. Students are there by choice and by invitation. They sign contracts saying that they will abide by the school's policies, even policies that violate civil rights. KT's hope here is that the policy is vague. He really needs his parents to stand up for him and use Catholic teaching on the primary role of parents to help him out here.
Yes, now that he's said he's in a private school, his options are more limited, but he may still have remedies. The bottom line is, "What would happen in court?" as is the case with all controversies.
I'd not go so far as to say that private schools are not bound by most civil laws - they certainly cannot beat and torture children, evade payroll taxes, eject unwanted process servers, nor construct buildings without a permit. However, the actions of private entities are not state actions and as such are far less regulated than would be those of a public school. Private entities may, for example, choose to just not do business with someone, unless the reason is from a very short list, such as race, religion, and the like. And a religious school can even avoid the religious item on the list. A Sikh school, for example, could require that students be practicing Sikhs, and expel any student who did cut his hair. :-)
Private entities are subject to the law of contracts. If a student has paid his tuition for a year there's a contract, whether written down or not, and an implied provision is that both parties will conduct themselves in good faith in furtherance of that contract's performance. If either party commits an unreasonable act to thwart such, the other can seek a remedy for breach of contract in a court of law. Unilaterally demanding that one party change his appearance once the school year and contract are well underway and he has few options that year to seek the same services elsewhere, could be well argued to be unconscionable, and a court could well say that the school would not be permitted to cancel the contract without just cause once the student is in that position.
Meting out harsh punishments for minor infractions is an act that could also be said to be a breach of this student's contract.
In a court, vague clauses are interpreted in favor of the party who did not draft them. In this student's case, the vague provision that he is being threatened with was written by the school, and the student is entitled to its widest interpretation in his favor.
What does the dress code say?
Just that "The hair is to be neatly groomed and of moderate length" so basically he can decide if it's too long.
Hmmm. What do you parents say? Your description certainly puts your hair at moderate to me. Here is dictionary.com's definition for moderate:
Being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme: a moderate price.
Not violent or subject to extremes; mild or calm; temperate: a moderate climate.
Of medium or average quantity or extent.
Of limited or average quality; mediocre.
Opposed to radical or extreme views or measures, especially in politics or religion.
If it were me, I'd probably fight it, if for no other reason than because the rule is not clear. I'd present an argument demonstrating that it is impossible for everyone to have average-length hair, unless everyone's hair was exactly the same length, something that is impossible because of varying growth rates. If you have an average, it is an average of something, right? Whatever population you look at will have some individuals on the extremes.
That takes care of the definition with the word "average" in it. The other ones seem to basically mean "not extreme". Would your hair be described as extremely long? It doesn't sound like it to me. What would that make my hair?
What if you just lie low for a while? At the high school I went to, this would have been very possible.
You may also be interested in the attached article.
Thanks for your help.
Yeah, I basically was planning to lay low: not get it cut (just a little in the back like I normally do) and tuck it behind the ears. I did think it was pretty stupid - it's not long at all (yet). Luckily I'll be out of there in 2.5 months and won't have to worry about it.
By the way, I would not do anything at all and simply argue it if it was a public school or had a friendly setting, alas arguing with the religous who teach at the Cathloc high school I go to = arguing with Satan.
I teach in a Catholic High School. I know what you are up against. Because the school is private, they can pretty much do what they want and you have no recourse to law. You might try this, though. If your parents support you (big if, I know)then they might approach the principal and say that they find your hair moderate in length. They might also remind him that the Catholic Church teaches that parents are the primary educators of their children, and they find this an interference in their role, since your hair is not in an extreme condition. I have also observed that students who go out of their way to keep their hair neat will be less likely targeted by the school administration. Good luck.
If you must cut it, get the sides cut nicely so they blend in with the top. Cut ONLY what is needed.