Despite disbelief and laughter, Hillsdale College Choir members will soon submit waiver forms to drive to Jackson for rehearsals and a concert. The forms require signatures from parents.
Senior choir member Adrienne Darrell distributed the slips April 4, giving students two weeks to obtain signatures.
“A lot of people just thought it was really dumb,” senior Giles Jago said.
Jago was not present on the day Darrell distributed the slips, but other choir members, including freshman Amanda Gill, agreed.
“Plain and simple: we are 18 years old,” Gill said. “We can keep medical records from our parents … the fact that we have to get a permission slip signed is ridiculous. It cracks me up.”
Darrell said the problem arose from a lack of school vehicles.
“Here I am 22 years old having to call my parents to get a permission slip signed, but my parents don’t sign for me anymore,” Darrell said.
The forms, though, fit college policy. Sororities and the Honors Program require similar forms for insurance liability.
“This has been the case for years,” Dean of Women CarolAnn Barker said. “It’s meant to protect the college.”
Barker said the policy keeps the college’s insurance rates down.
“You’re protecting everyone,” Barker said. “It’s not silly, it’s prudent.”
The college does not require waivers when students use the college’s vans.
“This is the first time the big choir has gone anywhere in my four years,” Jago said. “The chamber choir usually uses college vans. For this trip we had to get forms signed because we couldn’t take college vans.”
Sorority formal events use chartered buses and require waiver forms, but students who wish to drive need special permission.
“All of the girls ride the bus because our national sororities mandate it for safety and liability,” said Lindsey Davenport, sophomore Chi Omega sorority member.
Davenport said students who drive or arrive late submit a form to the sorority. Barker said some sororities require parental signatures.