Oklahoma Christian University’s student handbook prohibits dancing and dance events, however, Student Government Vice President Tevin Cleveland is challenging the ban by proposing a formal dance.
Cleveland, a senior, is in charge of planning the Student Government Association’s major campus events, including multicultural nights, the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Date Week. He said he hopes to end the school year and his term in office with a bang, he plans to hold a formal dance in March.
“I want it to happen in March because Spring Sing will be ending and then we’ll have a week before Spring Break,” Cleveland said. “So, maybe in between those, we can have this fun event before we head off on our different Spring Break trips.”
Cleveland said the idea for a formal dance came from watching Disney movies.
“I would love to have a ball where everyone just dresses up and learns the Waltz or something like that,” Cleveland said. “It hasn’t ever been done before. That’s what makes it even more exciting for me.”
Oklahoma Christian’s student handbook prohibits dancing as stated in section 4, item 15B:
“Because there are so many different types of dance (ranging from the purely athletic and artistic to the highly sensual and debauchery), and because it is extremely difficult to monitor and control both costume and behavior in advance of or during the events, the University maintains a general prohibition against dancing and dance programs on campus and at sponsored events.”
The section in the handbook continues with exceptions to the rule.
“The University does not consider that all such activities are bad, but as a practical matter does not want to be in the role of trying to predetermine whether such activities would or would not be acceptable. Therefore, the University’s services and facilities may not be used in connection with dancing or dance programs, including dance recitals, receptions, banquets, etc., regardless of the age of the participants. Limited exceptions may be allowed for cultural performances, theatrical choreography, etc. done in good taste and not offensive to the general mores of this campus community.”
Student Leadership Coordinator Elizabeth McElroy said the policy is in place to limit activities that go against the university’s moral code.
“A lot of it would depend on what sorts of activities are planned and what kind of dancing we’re talking about,” McElroy said. “I know some clubs have done some instructional ballroom dance events.”
Some social service clubs have hosted events with dancing such as holiday parties and spring banquets, but such events were held off-campus.
Senior August Cronin said the idea of a campus-wide formal dance sounds like a good way to get non-club members involved.
“I think everyone in a club has something to go to that’s a formal thing,” Cronin said. “So an event like this is good for those that aren’t in club. There are a lot of things that are very club oriented events like intramural and Spring Sing. So that would be a cool way to involve everyone on campus.”
Some students, especially those who have attended public high school dances in the past, said this rule is outdated.
“I think that it’s a little over the top maybe,” senior Quinn Fields said. “I guess my high school dance policies were very poor in the way that there was very inappropriate dancing that went on, but I think over the years there have been uses of appropriate dancing at times that can be edifying, uplifting and wholesome.”
Oklahoma Christian provides many outlets of instructing courses that are available to students and believes in the benefits of being a well-rounded individual through various experiences.
“I think it would be just another thing that would be fun to do beyond just eating together or whatever,” Fields said. “It’s kind of like the Team OC things where people teach you something you want to learn. But because it’s technically dancing, people view it different.”
McElroy said the event could possibly be approved, but would need to be presented to Dean of Students Neil Arter.
“I would say I feel positively about students having beneficial experiences and learning opportunities,” McElroy said. “As long as a situation is not overly sexualized, then I don’t feel like there’s a problem with that. A learning opportunity for innocent fun and community building would be something that the school feels good about and promotes.”
Cleveland said he hopes this event could set precedence for similar events in the future.
“[I hope students] learn something new and different that they’ve never experienced before,” Cleveland said. “And maybe, if they enjoy it, it can be something they continue in the future.”
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