After a heated debate on the senate floor Wednesday night, the Government of the Student Body voted 9-23 against a bill to implement a professional dress code for GSB meetings.

Currently, there are no terms or specifications stating what type of attire senators can wear at a GSB meeting.

“Looking professional will gather more respect and help GSB be taken more seriously,” said Ben Albright, agriculture. “Government officials and representatives should be held to higher standards because they have been elected or appointed.”

The original bill stated no hats were to be worn by senators at meetings and that business dress be defined as “a collared shirt, tie and dress pants for men, and a blouse or collared shirt and dress pants or a skirt for women.”

The bill was amended during the meeting to change “business dress” to “business casual.”

Several GSB officials at the meeting were still fiercely opposed to the amended bill, saying it was discriminatory and could further alienate students from GSB.

“This might be taking ourselves a little too seriously. We are not professional politicians. We are students,” said Andy Walling, director of campus awareness.

Walling said there are other ways GSB can look more professional.

“Do that through your actions and your words,” Walling said. “You don’t need a dress code to be professional.”

Jeremy Hayes, off-campus government, said the bill was sexist and gender-biased. He dressed in a skirt, blouse and heeled shoes at the senate meeting to protest the implementation of the bill.

“This bill is discriminatory,” Hayes said. “It’s ethnocentric based on a Western, middle-class white ordeal.”

Jonathan Marvin, UDA, said the bill could pose economic problems for some senators. He said some senators may not be able to afford business dress and the bill could be a form of economic discrimination.

“If someone doesn’t have $20 or $30, does that mean they can’t be a senator?” Marvin said.

“I think we should allow senators to make their own decisions about what we should wear.”

Raye Taylor, off-campus government, said the bill would cause an additional economic problem for women because their professional clothing is typically more expensive than that of men.

“It’s expensive, especially if you are a large woman,” Taylor said.

Albright maintained the dress code bill was necessary because GSB often hosts distinguished guests and senators should dress professionally to respect everyone in attendance at GSB meetings.

“It’s a matter of respect,” Albright said.

He asked that each senator try to maintain his appearance in the future.