Legal Opinion · Dissent

Olff v. East Side Union High School District

Supreme Court of the United States

Decided January 17, 1972No. 71-498PublishedCited by 225 opinions

1DissentJustice Douglas

It seems incredible that under our federalism a State can deny, a student education in its public school system unless his hair style comports with the standards of the school board.

Some institutions in Asia require their enrollees to shave their heads. Would we sustain that regulation if imposed by a public school?

Would we sustain a public school regulation requiring male students to have crew cuts?

The present regulation — to some at least — seems as extreme as the examples given. It provides:

“Hair shall be trim and clean. A boy’s hair shall not fall below the eyes in front and shall not…

2Cases cited22 opinions

Griswold v. ConnecticutSupreme Court of the United States · 1965
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School DistrictSupreme Court of the United States · 1969
Meyer v. NebraskaSupreme Court of the United States · 1923
Prince v. MassachusettsSupreme Court of the United States · 1944
L. W. Ferrell and Jo Ferrell, Next Friends of Phillip Ferrell v. Dallas Independent School DistrictCourt of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · 1968

17 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.

3Cited by225 opinions

Southwest Airlines Company v. Texas International Airlines, Inc. v. Texas Aeronautics Commission, Intervenor-AppelleeCourt of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · 1977
Sharon Hageman, Admx. Of the Estate of Donald Hageman v. Signal L. P. Gas, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit · 1973
The Domed Stadium Hotel, Inc., D/B/A Holiday Inn-Superdome v. Holiday Inns, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · 1984
Clipper Exxpress v. Rocky Mountain Motor Tariff Bureau, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 1982
George Farias v. Bexar County Board of Trustees for Mental Health Mental Retardation ServicesCourt of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · 1991

220 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.