[Sciencewoman]

A fellow professor who coordinates the student teacher program does a job interview session. He comes in wearing shorts, a Hawaiian print shirt, fake nylon tattoo sleeves, a fake hoop earring, and flip-flops. He also has a beard, and he talks to the guys about "beard prejudice." His point is that teachers are generally expected to follow very traditional clothing rules, and while you can try to buck this expectation or stand up for your right to dress like you want to, it's unlikely you'll get the job if your outward appearance sets off warning bells in the interviewers' minds.

Etiquette dinners are held each semester at my university, and my daughter's. The business school has hosted a "surviving a golf outing" event. As culturally conscious as we hope to be, the reality is that not knowing the unwritten rules of those who hold positions of power can create a barrier for those who were not raised to know these norms.

You can't effect change within the system if you can't get a foot in the door.