It is common knowledge that tertiary institutions provide students with a measure of freedom, including the choice to dress according to personal desire. This, however, does not come without another measure of exceptions as some departments within the institutions required a certain dress code because of their peculiar professional nature. In Many instances, Law students in many universities are expected to have a dress code of dress. On the other hand, there are students who have opposing views on such norm.
ThankGod Wekpa and Olaoluwa Esther write on the reactions of Lagos state University of Science and Technology(LASUSTECH)students on their perceptions about university dress codes.
A concern to introduce a code of dressing within the university environment is creating a mixed reaction among Lasustech students. Though no law with regards to dressing codes within the university had been passed but the thought of such is a concern.
Because of the religious nature of Nigerian society, some parents do have strict discipline on what their kids should wear. In many public high schools in Nigeria, there is always a pattern, even though in an unwritten form, of how students are supposed to dress. We have seen many of these concerns now rearing their ugly heads at the university levels.
Photo credit(online)
While in other countries, the United State of America in particular, students are allowed to dress in informal style based on weather, many of these informal dresses allowed in the US can be considered as indecent in Nigeria as they could be too short or revealing.
Students’ view
A 200 level student of Actuarial Science who preferred anonymity (because of possible intimidation), is of the view that putting on a dress code was not necessary as students could go without one. According to him “I passed through an all-round uniform year in secondary school. Continuing with such in the university is not necessary and burdensome”, he said.
However, another student, Damilola Alayande, a one hundred level student in the Insurance department saw nothing wrong or indifferent about university students having a dress code. Damilola said “It makes no difference. It’s just normal. If that’s the school rules and regulations, then so be it”.
On her own part Doyinsola Akinfenwa, a 100 level student of mass communication department noted that having a dress code makes her look both professional and distinct from others, especially given the course she is studying. According to Doyinsola “having a dress boosts one’s confidence and a sense of belonging”.
Another student, Oluwole Akande from the Accounting department (200l) noted in her view, “it will be a welcomed development if the school decides to make dress code a rule”.
To Oluwole, the focus of university students should not be a competition about who has the highest numbers of different dresses to show off but should be on academics.
What University officials see
It’s part of image making, serves identification purposes -Dr Zannu (HOD, Mass Communications department)
In a recent orientation program for newly admitted students of the Mass Communications department, the Head of Department, Dr, Zannu Nunayon Prosper did hint in his opening remarks, that the dress code decision was necessary as it would among other things, serve the purpose of easy identification.
Dr Zannu Prosper (Photo credit; dr Zannu)
One of the benefits of having a dress code for each department is for identification purposes. There is a particular way Law students should dress and that should be a thing of pride. According to Dr Zanu Prosper,”A student in a particular dress code can easily be identified as a member of a certain department and student of the institution.”
Dr Zanu also maintained that dress sends a favourable message to both the internal and external publics of the institution, especially as the saying goes: ‘you are addressed the way you are dressed.’
It will keep class struggle in check, competition should be based purely on academics -Mrs Tifashe, College Officer, CASS
College Officer of the College of Applied Social Sciences (CASS), Mrs Olufunmilayo Tifashe also shared her opinion on the issue. Mrs Tifashe said “I am so much in support of this stance. This is a strategic move towards keeping class struggle between students in proper check.
It is obvious today, many students intentionally prefer to dress outrageously as well as ostensibly in order to impress others, thereby leading to unhealthy rivalry and competition. Mrs Tifashe believes “This could further lead to intimidation and pressure on the students from modest and low income backgrounds.”
Whatever the direction University authorities will be going, it is ideal to understand the intricacies of introducing a dress code for a supposed adults’ community that can generate mixed reaction. Though if we consider the fact that admission age into University community is sixteen years, we may say some of the one to two hundred level students can still be considered as minor who may need close monitoring hence dress code may be applicable
