University announces students must wear business suits in class as it unveils new strict dress code
A university has announced a change to its student's attire rules, and the reason might be something you're on board with.
Uniforms and schools tend to go hand in hand, and this is usually there to promote a cohesive look, brand, and steers clear of controversy surrounding dress choice.
But once you are free from the grips of secondary school and hop on over to further education like college, usually, it's a free for all (within reason).
However, if you decide to cross the pond and enrol in the US's University of Tuskegee, expect that to change.
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That's because it has just recently announced its uniform framework, which includes wearing business suits every single day.
While it might sound like an odd thing for a uni to do, there's a sensible reason why they've made this choice.
In a statement written on its own website, the Alabama educational institution revealed that it 'requires every student to become workforce ready before crossing the commencement stage', and to prepare, they need to look the part.
It explained that the school is making sure students are comfortable with wearing the clothing that they would otherwise wear in a career role, noting: "While academic rigor across all eight colleges and schools at the university is the centerpiece of preparing them for success, university leaders recognize the reality that business attire required for many work environments can be an additional financial hurdle for many students."
As part of its curriculum pillar to prepare kids for the jobs market, Dr Mark A. Brown, the president and CEO of Tuskegee said: “One of the key pillars of Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era is our focus on career readiness for our students.
Academically, we are equipping our students to stand shoulder to shoulder with any candidates competing for roles in the global economy. The Golden Tigers Community Closet is an important way to ensure that every student can also feel confidently dressed when they step into those spaces.”
As part of this readiness, starting from the first year of study, every student will need to also explore work experience too, with the university revealing they'll have to 'complete at least one internship and take advantage of opportunities in the university’s Career Center to connect with potential employers and events across campus throughout the year where business attire is most suitable'.
"Practice makes perfect and with access to these wardrobe options, students can get more familiar with the competitive edge that appropriate attire can be," the website reads, as Walter P. Cooper, Sr., Director of the Career Education and Leadership Development Center explained: “A critical part of being ready for and confident in business environments is being appropriately dressed. We know that every workplace doesn’t require business attire – our center includes business casual and casual attire, too – but as our students prepare to enter those workplace scenarios that do, it is important that access to the right wardrobe is not a barrier.”
It sounds pretty sensible to me.
Britt Jones