http://www.universityherald.com/articles/4838/20131008/melona-clarke-hampton-university-student-carry-permission-slip-wear-hijab.htm
Melona Clarke, Hampton University Student, Must Carry Permission Slip to
Wear Hijab on Campus
Melona Clarke, a student at Hampton University, carries papers with her
wherever she goes but it is not for any immigration purposes, it is so
she can prove she is Muslim.
Because Hampton University is a private institution, it may provide a
strict dress code policy as it sees fit.
According to Hampton, Va. news station WTKR, Clarke could not be issued
a student ID card because of her headdress. Clarke, like many Muslim
women, chooses to wear a headscarf known as a hijab.
"I went to go get my ID in the police office, and I was in the front of
the line and I was told that I would not be able to get my ID because I
wear a hijab," said Clarke.
She had to obtain a note from the school chaplain and from her mosque to
prove that she does, in fact, practice the Muslim faith. She must carry
that written proof with her as long as she wishes to wear her hijab on
campus.
"I feel like that is absurd," said Francine Marquis, a Hampton student.
Another student, Joshua Senegal felt the same.
"I understand why they do it, but I don't think it is necessary to do,"
he said.
Hampton is a private institute, so it may impose as strict a dress code
as it pleases.
"Students seeking approval to wear headgear as an expression of
religious or cultural dress may make a written request for a review
through the Office of the Chaplain," the dress code policy reads.
"Students that are approved will then have their new ID card picture
taken by University Police with the headgear being worn."
Clarke said she will put up with the policy so she may wear her hijab
and not have to go through what she already experienced.
"If I am ever stopped and asked who I am, what I am doing on campus,"
Clarke said, "I want to have all the proof that I can that I am a
student here because I don't want to have to go through anything like I
went through in the first place, and I don't want other people to have
to go through that either."
Read more at
http://www.universityherald.com/articles/4838/20131008/melona-clarke-hampton-university-student-carry-permission-slip-wear-hijab.htm#QPrhmqEoGSrV3DF8.99
Melona Clarke, Hampton University Student, Must Carry Permission Slip to
Wear Hijab on Campus
Melona Clarke, a student at Hampton University, carries papers with her
wherever she goes but it is not for any immigration purposes, it is so
she can prove she is Muslim.
Because Hampton University is a private institution, it may provide a
strict dress code policy as it sees fit.
According to Hampton, Va. news station WTKR, Clarke could not be issued
a student ID card because of her headdress. Clarke, like many Muslim
women, chooses to wear a headscarf known as a hijab.
"I went to go get my ID in the police office, and I was in the front of
the line and I was told that I would not be able to get my ID because I
wear a hijab," said Clarke.
She had to obtain a note from the school chaplain and from her mosque to
prove that she does, in fact, practice the Muslim faith. She must carry
that written proof with her as long as she wishes to wear her hijab on
campus.
"I feel like that is absurd," said Francine Marquis, a Hampton student.
Another student, Joshua Senegal felt the same.
"I understand why they do it, but I don't think it is necessary to do,"
he said.
Hampton is a private institute, so it may impose as strict a dress code
as it pleases.
"Students seeking approval to wear headgear as an expression of
religious or cultural dress may make a written request for a review
through the Office of the Chaplain," the dress code policy reads.
"Students that are approved will then have their new ID card picture
taken by University Police with the headgear being worn."
Clarke said she will put up with the policy so she may wear her hijab
and not have to go through what she already experienced.
"If I am ever stopped and asked who I am, what I am doing on campus,"
Clarke said, "I want to have all the proof that I can that I am a
student here because I don't want to have to go through anything like I
went through in the first place, and I don't want other people to have
to go through that either."
Read more at
http://www.universityherald.com/articles/4838/20131008/melona-clarke-hampton-university-student-carry-permission-slip-wear-hijab.htm#QPrhmqEoGSrV3DF8.99
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