Dave Soucey showers every day. He tells me this because right now he looks dirty and he knows it. About a week ago, I asked him to grow a beard for the benefit and amusement of our readers. He agreed partly because we were drinking, partly because he's not too interested in women at this point, but mostly because he wanted some change. When I asked, he already had a bit of grey, speckled stubble. But, then, he was just being lazy. Now, he's excited. "I feel wild and free," he says. "It's definitely a change for the better." It's still not a beard yet. Three-quarters of it looks more like he taped the prickly side of Velcro to his face. But he's trimmed his neckline and shaved off his moustache ("Because stashes are sleazy"). This isn't poor hygiene. This is stubble with intent.

Dave is not alone in his adventure. Beards are coming back to UNH. These are not the thin chin-straps and sculpted goatees of the past few years. These are real, full on, I-forgot-my-Cat-Stevens-record-at-the-commune beards. One afternoon, I sat outside the library to count. I saw thirteen bearded students walk by in twenty minutes. In contrast, I saw only four goatees. Other students I've talked with noticed the increase too. I asked Dave what he thought about this. He suggested that maybe people are caring less about what they look like.

This is certainly true with Matt, a junior, who I spotted outside the library. Matt doesn't quite have a beard, but he's got some decent stubble growth. When I ask when he last shaved, he has to think. "Um, maybe Monday or something," he said

"So you don't really care too much about shaving?" I asked.

"Whatever." He shrugged. "I got scruff. I got a dirty face, like Enrique Inglesias. I'm super sexy."

Having a beard doesn't necessarily mean that you don't care. In fact, depending on the style, a beard can require much maintenance and effort. Some people like to keep it trimmed close to their face. Others need to shave where hair is spotty or irregular. Goatees, mustaches, chin straps, and soul patches all require regular attention to keep their shape. Even sideburns need to be watched. If you're not careful, you can go from Funky Bass Player to Neil-Young-On-A-Bender.

I, personally, found this out earlier this semester. I have a goatee, but I forgot my beard trimmer at home. My 'goat' fizzed off my face. Stray hairs dangled from the sides of my face and the left half puffed out as far as Nebraska. During the first few weeks of school, I had quite a few job interviews lined up. I tucked my shirt in, wore nice shoes, but I still had a gnarled mess hanging from my chin. I didn't get a job until after I brought my trimmer up. Of course, I could have shaved it off. I tried but I couldn't do it. If I had to choose between food and facial hair, I would choose facial hair.

I am an extreme(ly sad) case, but people do have a connection to facial hair that goes beyond trends. So, the beard surge is not simply a lack of concern for personal appearance. It is not just a hippie revival. Tyler, another bearded student, has a different opinion on the beard surge. Tyler has sported a beard for three years, save for when he shaved to attend a wedding. He doesn't trim or shape it, but the wiry mass goes well with his mound of dreadlocks. He believes people are starting to get more comfortable letting their hair grow. He does not see it as a trend, just a universal reaction.

Say, a student has been thinking about growing a beard. He, however, is concerned that it'll turn off people and make him look sketchy. Then he sees other people with beards. They are conversing normally and no one is judging them. So he realizes its safe and he lets it grow. Tyler adds, "It's so damn itchy when you shave."

Soon, every man able to grow a beard will have one. We'll all be covered. They're won't be any stopping us. Women will look resentfully at their smooth faces and dot black make-up all over their cheeks. Gillette, of course, will take action. They'll start an aggressive ad campaign glamorizing hair-less faces and buy off executives to enforce clean face policies. There'll be protests. There'll be righteous declarations. And then, everyone will get bored and find a new trend. Perhaps hats, hats would be cool.