Saving Dimes on Dorm Decor
If you’ve got a teen heading to college this month, you’ve probably also got a lengthy shopping list of must-haves he or she will need for dorm living.
Extra-long sheets for the school-issued bunk bed, mini-fridge and snacks, alarm clock.
But retail economists say many families are cutting back on other less-necessary items, like designer comforters and fancy electronics. Families are expected to spend 7 percent less each year, or about $600 per child on school supplies, clothing and furniture. They say the summer jobs market was weak and national economic worries are taking toll.
What about you? What are you shopping for, and what are you passing on? What does your teen want/need/must have?
Comment here or e-mail me at ssimpson@oklahoman.com
Susan Simpson, Education Writer
The crown stays at home
I was looking at school supplies yesterday for my 5-year-old, who starts kindergarten next month. I didn’t have a list of required items, but was temped to buy her some Disney Princess notebooks. Instead I e-mailed her principal about what she’d need.
Turns out that most parents at this school opt to give the teachers a minimal amount to buy the school supplies needed for the class. That way, all the kids have what they need, and there’s no bickering over who has the coolest stuff.
I like this idea, and I’m warming up to the idea of a school dress code; in this case, the kids wear basic shirts, pants and skirts in navy, white and khaki colors.
My daughter will still be my “pink-loving little princess,” she’ll just do most of her costuming at home.
What do you think about rules regarding dress codes and school supplies? Does such conformity squash individuality, or does it allow kids to focus more on the important stuff — learning.
Comment here or e-mail me at ssimpson@oklahoman.com
Susan Simpson, Education Writer
The feat of feet?
I’ve been to two graduations in two weeks. I’ve heard inspirational speeches, the usual blah-blah-blah about achieving dreams, and watched parents that talked on their cells phones for much of the ceremony.
But the image that sticks with me most are toes: some hairy, most unmanicured and often hanging off the ends of flip flops.
Our nation’s future — a generation of hope! — wore flip flops to their commencement ceremonies. Grads are required to wear standard graduation gowns and those square-shaped caps, leaving their shoes as their only fashion option.
If this were a test, most flunked. Especially the men. I saw hundreds in battered flip flops that would be an embarrassment on a beach, must less a place of pomp and circumstance.
Some women did wear nice footwear, sensible flats or even heels. But others failed just as miserably as the men.
Am I old-fashioned to think that graduates should dress a little better for this very important occasion? Did their parents even care? It would seem a sign of respect to try to look your best at graduation. And yes, people are looking at your feet. Or trying to look away.
Susan Simpson, Education Writer
E-mail me at ssimpson@oklahoman.com
Shoes in the News
Graduating students at Rhodes College in Tennessee are planning to make both social and fashion statements May 10 by wearing red Converse sneakers with their commencement gowns.
The custom started in 1998, when alumna Mickey Babcock challenged fellow graduates to “walk loud” to show their commitment to service, learning and leadership.
What about footwear fashion ideas for Oklahoma’s college graduates this year?
Orange loafers would seem a good choice at Oklahoma State University, maybe constructed of the flexible body armor material that OSU researchers developed for soldiers in Iraq.
University of Oklahoma grads could wear crimson red waterproof galoshes since it’s not unusual for rain to join the ceremony held outdoors each spring. Patent leather would be a nice touch to reflect the progress of this campus in recent years.
Green-minded University of Central Oklahoma graduates would put the earth first this year, donning sandals made of renewable bamboo or recycled French fry grease.
What ideas do you have?
E-mail me at ssimpson@oklahoman.com
Susan Simpson, Education Writer
Portrait of a Profession
You gotta hand it to some of those first nursing school graduates at OSU-OKC. They didn’t let their starched white nursing caps get in the way of a good bee-hive.
Portraits of graduating students from the past decades hang proudly on the walls of a hallway in the nursing building. They show a chronology of the school’s growth, and hair style fads through the ages.
But more has changed in the nursing profession than follicle fashion. Training has changed as dramatically as technology, and advanced education is more important than ever.
A few things have remained constant. It’s still mostly women — white women — seeking nursing credentials, although more minorities and men are entering the profession.
What’s your story? When did you become a nurse and why? I want to know more about the many pathways to education, jobs and maybe now, even retirement.
And maybe you can also explain the engineering of the bee-hive. It’s making a comeback, ala Amy Winehouse. But that’s another story altogether.
E-mail me at ssimpson@oklahoman.com
Susan Simpson, Education Writer
Hose Woes
Wow, if I wore hose, I’d use it to cover my face right now. Seems I really stirred up some readers with my last blog, in which I questioned the University of Central Oklahoma’s policy that female students attending a career fair this week must wear hose if they wear skirts or dresses.
My point was that if the skirt was of appropriate length and the shoes were nice, who’s cares about hosiery?
Readers Vicki, Diana and Jack do. The women both pointed out that many businesses have dress codes, so students should err on the side of conservatism in their attire. Diana says that some employers also might prohibit visible tattoos, which could be covered with opaque hosiery.
Jack said dress codes should revert back to the 1950s, because that’s when morals were high. But then he added that he’d like to volunteer for the hose-checking duty because “somebody’s got to do it.”
That last comment sort of sent chills up my spine, so I think I’m going to put on a pair of hose now — for warmth.
Susan Simpson, Education Writer
What’s next? Corsets?
College students looking for a job or internship can meet prospective employers Wednesday afternoon at the University of Central Oklahoma’s spring career fair.
But along with checking out students’ resumes and ability to hold intelligent conversation, some officials could be checking out the females students’ gams. That’s because female students who wear skirts to the event are mandated to wear panty hose.
They aren’t mandated to wear skirts, so perhaps many will opt for trousers. But is the hose requirement even necessary in today’s society? If a young woman is wearing a skirt or dress of appropriate length and dress shoes, who’s even going to notice her legs? And who’s going to monitor this requirement anyway? Will there be a “hose check” at the entrance?
The men have some rules of their own. They must wear a tie, and no shorts or hats are acceptable for either sex. Bookbags also are a no-no, which seems odd considering this is a college campus.
What do you think? I’m not advocating flip-flops and T-shirts here, but the hose rule seems so 1950s.
E-mail me at ssimpson@oklahoman.com or call 475-3930.
Susan Simpson, Education Writer
Tie one on
Some of you may have added a new name to your holiday gift-giving list — Oklahoma State’s next president V. Burns Hargis.
You may even be tempted to buy him an orange tie or two since he’ll be wearing them 24/7 now.
As a former regent, Hargis has more than a few orange ties, I’m sure. But can you ever really have too many? He joked this week that he might call up former president David Schmidly, now at the University of New Mexico, and see if he still had any to spare. I’m betting Schmidly didn’t make it out of the state with any orange ties.
Today, Hargis was a guest at the OSU Regents meeting in Oklahoma City. I complimented him on his tie, which featured tiny elephants on an orange background — a perfect portrayal of his devotion to both OSU and the Republican Party.
This time Hargis quipped that he’ll have to shop for some non-partisan ties — a neutral shade of orange, you might say.
Susan Simpson, Education Writer
*Footnote to baseball history
Branding irons typically are used to mark livestock or steaks. One will be used to mark an asterisk on the baseball that earned Barry Bonds his record-breaking 756th home run.
More than 10 million votes were cast in an eight-day period over what to do with the ball.
Overall, more than 80 percent of voters felt the ball should go to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. – but 47 percent of the voters wanted it branded first as a reminder of the allegations that Bonds used steroids.
Another 34 percent of voters thought the ball should be bestowed without being branded, and the other 19 percent wanted it blasted into outer space.
The poll was sponsored by a man with a brand of his own – Marc Ecko, a fashion designer who paid $752,467 for the ball.
To see news clips of Marc Ecko and get to YouTube and MySpace forums about the vote, go to http://www.vote756/marcecko.
Wendy K. Kleinman
Staff Writer
Barry Bonds baseball: Bestow, brand or banish?
I saw Barry Bonds hit his 758th home run in San Francisco last month. I don’t know where that ball is now.
I do know where his record-breaking 756th home run ball is — in your hands.
Fashion designer Marc Ecko paid more than $750,000 for the ball that broke baseball legend Hank Aaron’s home run record, and he wants the public to decide what to do with it.
Until Sept. 25, you can cast your vote. Should the ball be bestowed to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.; branded with an asterisk as a reminder of the steroid dispute surrounding the record and then given to the Hall of Fame; or blasted into outer space and banished forever?
Go to www.vote756.com/marcecko to vote, and visit the forum on NewsOK.com at http://newsok.com/article/3129752 to tell us why you think the ball should be bestowed, branded or banished.
Wendy K. Kleinman
Staff Writer
