Students and faculty with tattoos are no longer labeled as outlaws, bikers or delinquents. In fact, in the last decade, the taboo of tattoos has decreased almost into oblivion.

Some faculty have also admittedly changed their opinions about body art over the past 10 years, mostly because of the mainstream acceptance by society.

According to Dr. Peter Fields, associate professor of English, as recently as five years ago, administrators in the education field actually urged him to discourage his advisees from branding themselves, as this would cause an obstacle in their ability to obtain jobs, or in some cases, even be considered for a job within the educational field.

“Fifteen years ago, the message was even more pronounced,” he said. “The faculty in the education field didn’t point to any specific policy on part of the college or school district—it was simply common knowledge.”

In the past five years, Fields said that he no longer hears those heeds of warning concerning his English Department teaching certification students and hasn’t heard of any school system discriminating against any of his former students after learning that they had body art, whether visible or not.

“I am astounded by the popularity of tattoos,” he continued. “Now it’s rare to find someone under 30 who does not have one. Just when I think someone doesn’t have a tattoo, they say, ‘hey, look at this!’”

Fields also said that he does not see students or faculty with tattoos as a distraction. In fact, one of his students recently showed him an Edgar Allan Poe tattoo that he had received.

“I have to admit, it made me take the student more seriously,” he said. “His commitment to literature was permanently enshrined on his shoulder. It communicated to me a certain seriousness and commitment to the subject matter.”

According to Fields, there is no set policy concerning faculty with tattoos. As recently as four to five years ago, TA’s and GA’s have displayed extremely elaborate artwork on their bodies. Some of those tattoos are visible as well.

“If a TA or GA is wearing a backless shirt and a tattoo is visible, the problem isn’t with the tattoo at all,” he said. “The problem is in their choice of attire.”

In this respect, Fields said, most of them would never dream of teaching in a backless shirt anyway. Casual wear such as backless garments that show tattoos are perfectly acceptable at recreational events, just not in the classroom. Simple prudence in regards to teaching is usually sufficient, he said.

Fields also explained, while seeking teaching jobs, some students have opted to go through the painful, scarring process of tattoo removal. This is never a recommended option, according to Fields.

“Removal results in scars and other problems,” he said.

Seth Donley, freshman pre-med major and sales representative at Ear Level Communications, doesn’t have any tattoos, but it isn’t because he is necessarily against the idea, it’s just how things turned out. Donley said he has considered getting inked, but couldn’t make up his mind on what he wanted.

Because of his profession, Donley spends much of his time at work assisting elderly clients who may not share the same opinions about tattoos as the younger generations.

“I think it would change some of my clients’ opinions of me,” he said, “but not to the point of severing ties with me.  They would probably comment on it, or criticize my decision to get it, but again, I don’t think it would severely affect their opinions of me, personally.”

As a student, Donley also does not think that MSU faculty and other students with tattoos are a distraction to him in the classroom. In fact, he would see it as a sign that a professor might not be inherently uptight.

“I can’t say that I’ve noticed any [instructors] with tattoos,” he said, “but it would probably have a positive effect on my opinion of them before negative—as long as it’s not something like a multicolored unicorn stabbing a person through the chest with its horn.”

Breanne Sill, 21, took a leap on Halloween and hopped in the tattoo chair for the first time at Altered Images Tattoo Studio. Tattoo artist, Rusty Biscamp, decorated Sill’s foot with a beautiful design that represented the beliefs she holds dear to her heart.

“I wanted a tattoo that reflected my Celtic Pagan beliefs,” she said. “I had decided on the design about a month ago when I saw the basic design in a Celtic calendar.”

After discovering the design she wanted, Sill expanded upon the image to make it reflect her more personally, and Biscamp added the final artistic touches.

“My Zodiac is an earth element, so the design is an abstract leaf with vines,” she said. “It was important that the full design be in earth tones. The Celtic trinity knot represents the three aspects of the goddess: maiden, mother, and crone.”

The trinity was adapted by the Catholics, she said, to stand for God, Son and Holy Spirit.

“For me, the knot represents the faith that I was brought up in, Christianity, and the faith I chose, Celtic Paganism,” Sill said. “The principles of both religions define me and my spiritual foundation, thus, the knot was placed on the main leaf.”

The smaller Celtic design that comes off one of the vines of the tattoo is called the Triskle, she said. The Triskle stands for the journey of the soul: life, after death, and before life. According to Sill, these are three different experiences which explain the three spirals that are also connected.

“It also means that everyone is connected as we all share parts of old souls,” she said.

Sill put a great deal of thought and intricate detail into the way she wanted her tattoo to be interpreted. In addition, the day was made even more special by marking her and her boyfriend’s third anniversary.

Sill’s boyfriend is currently studying abroad, so her ability to mark this sacred milestone made the occasion that much more endearing.

“Will I get another? I’m certainly open to the idea,” she said. “I want my next tattoo to be just as meaningful as my first. I don’t think tattoos should be cliché or lack any meaning to the person.”

No one should get a tattoo because it is “cool,” she said.  Plus, artists tend to recognize when a person has put a lot of thought into a tattoo. They appreciate the effort and do a better job on it.

“Tattoos are, after all, artwork. They should be treated as such,” she explained.

The shift from “taboo” to “acceptable” is a growing trend amongst the old and young these days, and those who once saw tattoos as an obstacle in the professional world are now leaning to an opinion of more approval and appreciation.

“I can trace a change in my own thinking about tattoos,” Dr. Fields continued.

“Tattoos no longer set people apart,” he said. “It’s a part of how they express themselves. They don’t have a social disease.”