From high in the stands of Beaver Stadium, one can hear, without doubt, the band playing in the half-time show. One can see the circling flags of the Penn State Color Guard. One cannot, however, see the thin metal rods that are twirled by the Touch of Blue Majorette Line.
"From the 80th row in Beaver Stadium, the only thing you can see with the majorettes is their bodies, from an artistic view," said Judy Lawrence, Feature Twirler Coach. "The only glitter you see is the majorette line -- they stand out and attract attention."
Citing the aesthetic need for uniformity among the women who comprise the majorette line, Lawrence added, "If you've got a 7-foot giant and the rest of the girls are 5 feet tall, who are you going to cut?"
"We're supposed to believe in diversity. Why don't we carry it through here?" said Mike Johnson, associate professor of women's studies and sociology.
Although band administration justifies twice-weekly weigh-ins for the majorettes as a need for uniformity, such a policy has brought to light questions of sexual discrimination.
"I think policies ought to be focused on skill rather than appearance," Johnson said. "If uniformity is the only issue, how about a uniformly fat squad?"
A University of Connecticut cheerleader recently filed a sexual discrimination complaint against the school regarding its 125-pound weight limit for female cheerleaders. There was no weight limit for male cheerleaders.
As a result of the complaint, the University of Connecticut revised its policy to one that focuses on body type and fat percentages for both male and female cheerleaders.
The University's Blue Band says its weight policies are due to a limited number of uniforms and the idea that the majorettes are a "dance group like the Rockettes interested in uniformity," said Orrin Bundy, associate director of bands.
"In the past, we've had people too large or too small and we've had to say, 'I'm sorry, we can't fit you with a uniform,' " Bundy added.
Neither band members nor majorettes are offered the opportunity to buy their own uniforms if a correctly sized uniform is not availiable.
Despite mandatory weigh-ins for majorettes, Feature Twirler John Mitchell was never given a recommended weight goal and is not weighed on a regular basis.
"When I twirl, people look at my baton. When a girl twirls, you look at everything -- legs, kicks, pointed toes and grace," said Mitchell (junior-administrative justice).
Mitchell agreed the whole idea of majorettes is sexist and noted that the uniformity for majorettes is thinness.
"The color guard wears heavier uniforms and carries heavy flags, yet they have no fitness requirement," Mitchell said.
"The real issue is the extent of the focus on the women's bodies, and on the majorettes as not only skilled twirlers, but as objects of sexual interest," wrote Michael Johnson, in a April 9 letter to Ned Deihl, director of bands.
Johnson and two students wrote the letter after a female student complained of sexual discrimination in majorette tryouts.
In addition to "weight goals," uniforms resembling bathing suits worn by the majorettes emphasize physical attractiveness rather than physical fitness, Johnson said.
"The emphasis on weight and size has to do with the uniform," Lawrence said. "The uniform is not at all sexist. It does the girls well."
Majorette Captain Kelly Kike agreed the uniform is part of being a majorette.
"You agree to the uniform. You want to go out in front of the crowd and look good. You make fun of people who look bad in the uniform," Kike (senior-elementary education) added.
The instructor encourages women to have a normal weight for their height, said co-captain Cristin Barrett (senior-psychology).
"We can't be overweight," she said simply.
Johnson said the Blue Band should revise its policies for the majorettes to de-emphasize sexual attractiveness and thinness.
While Deihl said in a reply letter to Johnson that he would not object to a policy review, there are no revisions occurring presently.
"Why should we change the uniform for one person?" said Lawrence.
