November is almost over, and with that comes cold weather, end-of-semester papers and projects and what seems like the busiest part of the year. All of that together makes the perfect environment for No Shave November.
It starts with students having the excuse to be lazy and finding it acceptable to look unkempt. Men grow out facial hair and some women participate by growing out their leg hair.
Numerous students at Baker have participated in this tradition.
Senior Morgan James says he participates in No Shave November because, like most students, it gives him an excuse to not shave.
Junior Dom Reiske also has his own reasons for not shaving for the month of November.
“I’ve done it the last four years, and growing out my facial hair gives me the excuse to start my handlebar mustache,” he said.
What some students don’t know about No Shave November is it has been used as an effort to raise awareness and money for charities such as the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Prostate Cancer Foundation, along with many other men’s health charities. Another foundation that has used No Shave November is St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.
“I think its awesome that No Shave November is actually a way to raise awareness for charities,” Reiske said. “It provides a way for guys to give to awesome causes and gives us an excuse not to shave.”
The men of Zeta Chi fraternity are participating by having a beard contest and raising awareness for a local cause.
“Because Zeta Chi is a local, independent fraternity, we try to seek out local organizations to partner with for our philanthropy,” Jacob Mogle, Zeta Chi external affairs chairman, said. “This is the second year we have sponsored a beard contest. In the past, it has been highly successful so we hope to continue with it in the future.”
All the money raised from the beard contest is going to the Baldwin City Children’s Choir.
“For me personally, I had never thought about growing a beard before coming to college but decided to do it for the philanthropy event,” Zeta Chi member Ben Sobek said. “I like that by not shaving I am raising money for children.”
For the members of Zeta Chi, not only is the act of No Shave November a philanthropy opportunity, but it is also a tradition that has been held in their fraternity for many years.
“I actually have not shaved since late October,” Mogle said. “One of Zeta Chi’s traditional events, Ramble, is held every November and so to prepare for the event, the entire house does not shave. So Zeta Chi’s have been growing our their beards every November long before No- Shave November was a thing.”
Zeta Chi’s beard contest will involve change jars set out in the Harter Union from Nov. 27-30 so students can cast their vote by donating money to the best beard.
