RLA releases haircut room petition

Haircuts are an essential part of most people’s lives and the relationship a client has with their barber is special. Every barber is different, and every barbershop has its pros and cons. Unfortunately, there is a limited number of barbershops here in Chadron and a very small number of barbers who deal with ethnic hair.  

As a result, CSC students have been getting haircuts from a student on campus who deals with ethnic hair and has worked in a barbershop during the previous summer. 

Naishaun Jernigan, 20, junior of Springfield, Massachusetts, has taken it upon himself to be a Barber for the students here at CSC. He mostly cuts the hair of student-athletes but is open to cut anyone’s hair.  

As word got around about him and his services, CSC Residence Life Association have come together to talk about a petition to get a dedicated room for haircuts to take place for both men and women. 

Gabriel Perez, student affairs project coordinator, is heading the haircut petition.  

“Ted brought up the idea to us in a meeting and was looking for suggestions for a space on campus for haircuts to be given, “she said.  

The only conflict was that the haircuts can’t be charged as a business so no money exchange could happen. She also said that in the meeting most questions revolved around cleaning and maintaining the room such as who will clean it, how often, and who would have access to the room.  

At the moment, the petition is not up for voting yet, but is in the process.  

“I have a time set up with Sam Parker soon to talk about the petition and get it moved along to be ready to vote,” said Perez.  

“Within the area, we don’t have a lot of places that support African American hair or ethnic hair,” she said. “There is a significant difference between going to the barbershop in town and being able to utilize people or have people who know how to do different types of hair. We can see this petition as one small step to increasing diversity in the community.” 

Perez said that if students were interested in seeing this petition become a reality on campus, to feel free to visit her office in The Hub.  

“Don’t be afraid to stop by, we’d love to help and if they want to they can bring their ideas to anyone on the RLA committee, myself, Ted, Austin Stevens, and Sam Parker,” she said. “We can talk about it and see what we can do.”