Ring Dance

Recently, Westhampton students received and email from the office of Dean Landphair about the upcoming Ring Dance for the Junior class (class of 2012!). In this email, we were kindly informed that if we want to be presented with a class ring at Ring Dance in the Spring semester, we need to get our order in soon. At first, I read this and was glad they had reminded me, as it was my intention to buy a class ring. However, after checking out the website of the company that UR is working with for class rings (balfour.com), and seeing that the cheapest ring available for purchase was well over $300, I am having second thoughts.

The undeniable classism that has been displayed by this email is disturbing on many levels, especially from a University that offers a ton of financial aid options for those in need. In the email, was a statement something to the effect of "no personal or family rings will be presented during Ring Dance (by Dean Landphair)." This statement bothers me because many students simply may not have the funds to buy an official class ring (they are not cheap!) and these students are being marginalized because of their inability to spend a fortune. It is disturbing that the University, and specifically Westhampton College, are reinforcing socio-economic expectations that are completely unrealistic for many students. After looking at the ridiculous prices on the cheapest, and quite frankly not attractive, rings on balfour.com, I am quickly coming to the conclusion that I may try to make my own class ring, something simple, elegant, and classy-not gaudy. My suite-mate inspired me with this idea as she had a ring made out of a sapphire that she was given by a family member for her class ring.

I really would love for the UR administration to wake up and smell the coffee. They need to realize that so much of what they do marginalizes one group or another. There are ways to make these "traditions" open and accessible to all despite socio-economic standing, etc. Though I am actually looking forward to attending Ring Dance, I am somewhat concerned with out much pressure is placed on women to wear formal white dresses (supposedly representing purity? innocence? I am not sure!). Not only is the assumption made that ALL women want to wear a dress or are comfortable doing so, the reputation around these dresses is that they are expensive-another classist part of Ring Dance.

As a result, I am planning to break these trends. Not only do I plan on making my own dress for Ring Dance, but I intend it to be crazy colorful-like me! And I just may design my own (cheaper) ring while I am at it!