Dress codes in High Institution: Lasustech Students Express Divergent Views

By Wekpa ThankGod 

It is a common knowledge that tertiary institutions which is considered as a citadel of higher learning, provides students with a measure of freedom, including the choice of their outlook and dressing. This, however, does not come without another measure of exceptions as some departments within the institutions are required of a certain dress codes because of their peculiar nature.

 But on the other end are students who are not linear or uniform in their perceptions about this norm. ThankGod Wekpa writes on the reactions of Lasustech students on their perceptions about university dress codes.

The issue of appearing on a particular dress code to school has set the tongues of Lasustech students wagging in different directions. This is coming after a cross section of students from several departments of the institution were interviewed yesterday. While many were in support of the rule, a few others were indifferent, and yet another student expressed displeasure over the development.

"Students can go without dress codes" -Anonymous Student, Actuarial Science

 "It's just normal" -Damilola, Insurance

"Makes me look professional, distinct" -Doyin, Mass Comm

"A welcomed development" -Akande, Accounting

Those were a clip of the statements that shaped the aggregate of reactions stemming from the interview.

A 200level student of Actuarial Science who preferred anonymity, was of the the view that putting on a dress code was not necessary as students could go without.

 "I passed through an all-round uniform years in secondary school. Continuing with such in high institution is not necessary", he said.

However, his counterpart, Mr Damilola Alayande from the Insurance department (100l) saw nothing wrong about it.

"It makes no difference. It's just normal. If that's the school rules and regulations, then so be it", he said.

On her own part, Ms Doyinsola Akinfenwa, a 100 level student of mass communication department noted that being on a dress code makes her look both professional and distinct from others, especially given the course she was studying. She argued that it boosts one's confidence, given one a sense of belonging.

Ms Oluwole Akande from the Accounting department (200l) noted in her view, that it was a welcomed development as far as she was concerned.

It will keep class struggle in check, competition should be based purely on academics -Mrs Tifase, College Officer, CASS

But while the interview was going on, I bumped into the College Officer of the College of Applied Social Sciences, Mrs Tifase who also shared her opinion on the issue.

"I am so much in support of this stance. This is a strategic move towards keeping class struggle between students in proper check.

"Some students would intentionally prefer to dress outlandishly ostensibly in order to impress others, thereby leading to unhealthy rivalry and competition between their colleagues on who has the best collection of outfits. 

"This could further lead to intimidatiom and pressure on the students from modest and low income backgrounds, especially as the economy is biting ever harder on everyone." 

She further noted that competitions in tertiary institutions should be on academics and nothing more, especially as it was in tandem with their studentships with the institution.

It's part of image making, serves identification purposes -Dr Zannu (HOD, Mass Comm)

Coincidentally, the mass Comm department held an orientation programme for her newly admitted students during which the Head of Department, Dr Zannu Nunayon Prosper declared while giving his opening remarks, that the dress code decision was necessary as it would among other things, serve the purpose of easy identification.

"A student who is dressed in on a particular dress code can easily be identified as a member of certain department and student of the institution."

He also noted that it 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.'