Dear Editor,I’ve been following your stories regarding the new dress code at the CPA.

Did you know that if you Google “dress code policies in gyms” one of the East Tennessean’s articles on this subject is within the first page of results?

I’d like to assume this is due to the East Tennessean’s talented staff and top-notch reporting.

However, my guess is that it is more of a reflection that ETSU seems to be one of the only (if not the only) public college that has a problem with scantly-clad students at their gym.

In the most recent article, “CPA implements newest dress policy for members,” Lynn Nester, director of Campus Recreation, says, “one of the reasons for the policy change is to help eliminate the amount of sweat on the machines, for health, safety and maintenance reasons.”

According to a recent article in Shape magazine, loose clothing can actually help prevent excessive sweating.

However, the new policy dictates that, according to the ET’s article, “the bottom of the shirt’s arm hole cannot be more than four inches below the arm pit.”

In regards to student’s health, all who attend the CPA will be happy to know about a recent study at the Birgit Schittek Department of Dermatology at Eberhand-Karls University.

This study found that there is actual a substance in human sweat that kills many types of common bacteria and yeast, and in fact can be so potent that it may be viewed as an anti-infection agent.

So what does this really boil down to? It seems to me that the real problem here is a lack of trust in the students that they have an ability to make an adult decision about to wear out in public.

There is a reason that many of us toss aside our mini-skirts and jeans that hang at our knees, and, it is quite simply, we realize we look like idiots.

Now if there are people walking into the CPA truly half-naked, have them arrested for public indecency.

But men without shirts and women in sports bras doesn’t exactly do damage to my poor little mind.

It’s nothing different than you’d see in your own neighborhood as people mow lawns or take walks.

I find it shameful that the college is enforcing these silly rules that might actually deter some from using their facilities.

When working out the last thing I want to be thinking about is if the inseam on my sleeve is long enough.

Shelly Hill, a student working at the CPA states, “Exercising with a big room full of your peers can be a vulnerable experience for a lot people,’ says Hill.

“When you’re surrounded by people who are half-naked, it can take away from your workout experience.”

First, if you feel confident enough to rock the sports bra at the CPA, more power to you!

Secondly, in regards to the men without shirts … clearly it’s detracting from Ms. Hill’s experience, but I promise you, it does nothing but improve mine.

-Morgan Akens

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