What not to wear

4/24/08

By Jennifer Ingram
Critic Staff

Lyndon State College does not have a dress code that is enforced school wide, however when students get out into their field they are expected to dress professionally.

In the Education department when students go into the school system to either do their practicum or their student teaching they are expected to wear clothing that is appropriate. Appropriate dress attire for women includes dress pants, and skirts and knit tops and for men appropriate attire includes dress pants and button up shirts. Blue jeans and tee shirts are excluded.

There is much debate across the United States as to whether or not there should be dress codes in place and enforced at a college level.

Many argue that a dress code would impose a financial burden on college students. College Freedom argues that by imposing dress codes sends a message of conformity and repression.

Although in Vermont it is not common for universities to have dress codes, there are many universities around the country that do. At Bethune-Cookman College, students should dress in a way that shows respect for themselves and for other students.

According to their handbook, females are not allowed to wear tops that show their midriffs or sleeveless men's undershirts, and not allowed to wear skirts that do not meet the "finger-tip test".

Males are not allowed to wear pants below their waistline or show underwear. No one is allowed to wear hats inside buildings. It is also prohibited for female and male students wear pajamas outside of the dormitory because they believe that it is unprofessional.

At Illinois State University’s College of Business, a public university, the faculty instituted a “business casual” dress code for all juniors and seniors. “We tried to come up with ways to enhance the overall professionalism of our students,” Dr. Tim Longfellow the department chair, said.

At Campbell University in North Carolina, a private university, some aspects of dress codes are enforced. Females can not wear spaghetti straps to class. Students that take science classes have to wear pants and lab coats and can not wear open toe shoes for safety reasons.

“Each individual major has their own guidelines for dress codes. In the Pharmacy program students must dress professional,” a student at Campbell University said.

Professionalism, safety and equality are some reasons that colleges and universities have, and enforce dress codes. However, by consensus, the students at LSC are happy with no dress code. “There are many drawbacks by having a dress code, it would be financially hard because we would all have to go out and buy clothes, and we wouldn’t be able to show our individuality,” an anonymous student at LSC said.