Some Crises Can Be Killed if the Organization Is Willing to Change Direction (Susan G. Komen Excluded)

A Catholic school in Philadelphia may not have a full-blown crisis yet. But it's trying really hard to have one with an unbending rule that is making national news.

Amanda Dougherty, 17, is a junior at Archbishop John Carroll High School in Glenolden, Pennsylvania. She was all set to go to the prom, but her date cancelled. She claims that with tickets, a dress, and shoes she bought before she was stood up that she's out $1,000. It's too late to find a replacement date apparently. But that's okay. She can go to the prom anyway, right?

Wrong.

School officials told her she couldn't go without a date. The school declined to comment on a specific student, but released a statement:

"The prom is an exciting event for students in all of our Archdiocesan high schools. We do have policies in place to regulate both the junior and senior prom. Unfortunately, not all students are able to attend. We can’t address specific issues with specific students but there are various reasons that a student would not be able to attend. Not having a date is one example. Our high schools offer numerous dances and events throughout the year where dates are not required, but we view the prom as a special social event where a date is required to attend. (http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/04/20/exclusive-archdiocese-ruling-bares-student-from-attending-promo-solo/)

Dougherty thinks the prom is a special event, too. That's why she said she is willing to fight the policy. A year or two ago, I wrote a post about a school making news because it wouldn't let a lesbian couple attend the prom. The Archdiocese statement only says "date." It says nothing about gender. Dougherty should see what the reaction would be if she took a girl to the prom.

Rules can get in our way. I'm not talking about rules that govern safety, and protection of property and the like. But will letting a dateless girl tarnish the prom experience for others? Will it cost the school money? Will anyone be hurt or killed?

This story would go away if the Archdiocese realized that being stubborn is putting it in a negative spotlight nationwide. I'll bet there are letters and phone calls pouring in from everywhere. I can see how this seemingly little thing could have come as a surprise when it went nationwide. So now change the policy and make the issue go away. That's not being weak, it's being flexible -- and wise.