Out-Of-Class #2: Another Good Example

11/11/13

Movember/No Shave November

Every resident assistant at Michigan State University has a theme for the name tags on their resident’s doors.

And the theme of the 3^rd floor of Rather Hall just so happens to be facial hair.

Take a stroll down the hall and one will feel as if they are walking down some sort of “Facial Hair Hall of Fame,” with the likes of Rollie Fingers, Ron Burgundy and Zach Galifianakis gracing the doors with their presence.

And now that November is here, the theme of the floor seems to fit perfectly.

Yes, it has arrived. The time of the year when hundreds of thousands of men across the globe ditch their razors and shaving cream in the hopes of sprouting hair from their face the likes of the men on the doors of Rather 3A.

And with this month having descended upon us, it’s time to distinguish between two activities that occur during this month, both involving facial hair: One being the activity of No Shave November, and the other being the works of a foundation known as Movember.

First, here’s what No Shave November is and why people do it:

“I do it because it’s a challenge,” junior MSU student Trent Johnson said. “I do it with my friends to see who can grow the best and grossest beard by the end of the month.”

Then Johnson, leaning in, joked about another part of No Shave November that can sometimes be tough with the new, messy facial hair.

“And if you can pick up a girl during No Shave November, that’s a plus-1,” he said with a laugh.

For others, No Shave November is a time to have fun.

Do you participate in No Shave November?

“Duh,” senior MSU student Bennett Prud’homme said in response to this, as if it’s not even a question.

Why?

“November is international masculinity month,” Prud’homme said completely serious, although the amount of fact in his statement is a tad bit questionable. “I participate in No Shave November to reattach myself with my inner spiritual masculine manly man.

But besides being just a month where a bunch of goofy college kids grow out their facial hair, there is a foundation known as Movember that uses the month to raise awareness for men’s health.  

And although similar it may seem to that of No Shave November, the Movember foundation stresses both on its Website and in contact with staff members that they are not affiliated with No Shave November and that they are all about the mustache.

“Movember is NOT the same thing as No Shave November,” Movember public relations person Abbie Rumery said in an email.  “Movember is only about the moustache – No beards No goatee.”

According to Movember’s Website, this is because, contrary to a beard or goatee, a mustache sparks a lot of conversation.

“The first year that guys did this it was 30 guys in Melbourne, Australia and they actually raised no funds,” Movember College/University Engagement manager Doug Prusoff said.
“What they realized when they were growing their mustaches though, is that the growth of a mustache sparks a lot of conversation. Every time someone asks, it’s an opportunity to talk about Movember and men’s health.”

In addition, with each mustache generating as many as 2,400 conversations about men’s health, according to the Movember Website, awareness and education then prompts people to take action or go to the doctor, making them more aware of men’s health issues. 

And since that first year back in 2003, according to Prusoff, the foundation has exploded over recent years, having gone from just 30 “Mo’s” (being the people who grow out mustaches for the month to raise awareness), to over 1.1 million Mo's and $147 million funds raised in 2012. 

As for No Shave November, according to freshman MSU student Jonathon Sollish, things are also being done to help raise awareness for men’s health. Take Berkley High School in Berkley, Michigan for example, where Sollish was a 2013 graduate. START NEW GRAF HERE According to Sollish, at the high school, teachers and faculty members grow out facial hair in the month of November and raise money by students donating money to whoever they think has the best beard. 

“It’s run through our student government class,” Berkley High School principal Randy Gawel said. “This is the third year they’ve done it and about ten teachers and administrators participate. I’ve won the last two years in a row so I’m the champion. I’ve got a gross hobo looking beard but it’s all about raising money for cancer research.”

Still, at the end of the day, whether people are growing out facial hair to raise awareness for men’s health or simply just doing it to have fun with some friends, or even a combination of the two, the whiskers growing out the sides of men’s faces this month is all in good fun.

Words: 811

Sources:

Doug Prusoff       Movember College/University Engagement manager

310-836-8269

Abbie Rumery    PR person for Movember

(310) 450-3331                   abbie@movember.com

Jonathon Sollish

248-709-7119   sollishj@msu.edu

Trent Johnson

248-767-0125   John3299@msu.edu

Bennett Prud’homme

248-767-4602

Randy Gawel      Principal of Berkley High School, Berkley Michigan

248-837-8101