Many Binghamton students have set aside their razors and will let beards, mustaches and, for girls, even leg hair grow freely during a month-long celebration of “No Shave November.”

A considerable number of students are involved either to support a cause, defy gender roles or to embrace the month that allows participants to proudly neglect the chore of shaving.

Ari Meridy, an undeclared freshman, is partaking in “No Shave November” for the first time this year.

“I’m participating in No Shave November because I thought it would be a fun time to explore the cosmos of beard-growing,” Meridy said. “In college, all of us go through new experiences, and this is just one I wanted to try: not shaving for an entire month.”

For some, “No Shave November” means disproving the common conception that the month’s hairy participants only include men.

“People associate hair with men, and I think that is a misconception,” said Emma Gordon, a sophomore majoring in economics. “It’s a hassle for both men and women to shave, so they should both participate in No Shave November.”

Both Meridy and Gordon are participating, but said their friends were either uninterested in participating or have already given in to the temptation of shaving.

Matthew DeLea, an undeclared freshman, is participating as a member of the Binghamton lacrosse team.

“The entire team decided to participate as a form of team bonding,” DeLea said. “I really look forward to growing out my beard for an entire month. It will give me time to grow a truly intimidating beard.”

“No Shave November” also marks a time where student groups on campus organize events to raise money or awareness for charities.

Last Friday, the Binghamton Senators announced that the B-Sens players would grow mustaches to participate in “Movember,” a national fundraising program that aims to raise money and awareness for prostate and other male cancer initiatives.

The player’s efforts will be recognized at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey game that the Binghamton Senators will host on Nov. 26. Pictures of each B-Sens player and his mustache will be on display. Fans are encouraged to make a donation on behalf of the player that they believe has grown the most impressive mustache.

Matt Custer, director of game day operations and community relations, said the team’s participation in Movember makes a prominent statement.

“When I joined the B-Sens, I was unfamiliar, but now if you turn on a hockey game, you will see it,” Custer said. “Across all levels of hockey it is represented and showcased. It’s such a simplistic thing, growing a mustache, but the visual representation of the cause is much larger than I could have ever imagined.”

Daniel Bromsey, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering, is not among those forgoing the razor for a specific cause. He said he is simply excited to not shave.

“I don’t look forward to No Shave November because I have a love for beards, but because I have a love for not doing what I don’t want to do,” Bromsey said.