The newest addition to the Archer uniform has sparked controversy amongst the student body.

“We have heard your suggestions and in an effort to keep warm during this exceptional cold spell, we have added a new piece to your uniform,” Dean of Students Travis Nesbitt wrote in an email to the Archer community on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

An Archer parent introduced the idea of including a down vest in the uniform.

“It was unanimous that [the vest] was comfortable, warm for the core and worked with our uniform options,” Nesbitt said.

Archer’s Lands’ End website describes the vest as a “warm, light layer before the snow flies. Premium 600 fill power down keeps kids toasty, yet won’t weigh them down. Box-quilt Vest has a nylon shell, two handwarmer pockets, and a stand-up collar. It’s made to layer ­a versatile piece from fall through winter.”

Although the vest aims to keep students warm, some argue that it does not actually do so.

“I think the vest is a great idea, but they do not cover my arms. My arms are a big part of my body and I think that if I had sleeves I would be so much warmer,” Izzy Simanowitz ’18 said.

Simanowitz added that students should be able to wear their own puffy jacket not associated with the uniform.

“I don’t think that there [are] enough options for us to stay warm. We are very restricted within our uniform,” Alex Feldman ’18 said. “Even though they got the new puffy vest, it’s not long-sleeve[d]. I don’t think we will stay warm with that.”

On the other hand, Valentina Pianiri ’17 said, “I really like the vest. It’s pretty light weight, it’s fashionable, and you can put it with any outfit with Archer.”

“It was really nice to have something else that is not just a sweater,” Abby Gore ’17 said.

Nesbitt intended to have a vest instead of a full jacket because the vest is both practical in and outside of the classroom.

“Taunting us with puffy promises, leaving us sleeveless,” Dia Military ’17 said.