While jeans may be worn by students around MU's campus most days of the year, they will have a different meaning on Thursday.
April 24 marks Denim Day, a day when students are encouraged to wear jeans in support of taking a stand against sexual violence.
The day was originated in Italy in 1999 to honor a woman whose rape conviction was overturned after the Italian Supreme Court said since she was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped the rapist remove them, thereby implying consent.
One of the organizations helping out in the day's events at Lowry Mall is the MSA/GPC Craft Studio. They will be helping students make free bracelets out of recyclable material and denim to wear in support of the day.
"We feel very close to our students, so it's important for us that our students are safe and that they know that we care about them," said Amy Hay, Craft Studio Special Events and Promotions advisor.
Denim Day comes at a significant time in MU's history as the university has been in the news recently in regards to sexual assault scandals. Two weeks ago an independent report said the university failed to follow parts of the federal law that governs sexual assault reporting when handling the case of former swimmer Sasha Menu Corey's suicide.
Missouri Students Association President Mason Schara says people should come out to support the cause.
"I think it's important at Mizzou because of the increased conversation of sexual assault and safety that the campus is currently having," Schara said. "So with that increased conversation, with the increased awareness of it, I think we need to have events such as these to really promote this awareness and to educate the student body as a whole."
The entire month of April is also sexual assault awareness month. MU has multiple events planned for Sunday, including a Freedom Walk at Stankowski Field at noon, the 5th Annual Freedom Walk at Stephens Lake Park and a Cookout Against Violence at Cosmo-Bethel Park.