Dress Code for students at Paul Quinn College

Blacksocialite · #1 09-05-2007, 02:56 PM

I have a story on my blog today about Paul Quinn's new dress code for students. Students may only wear Greek or school nelia on Fridays.

This is very interesting!

Tom Earp · #2 09-05-2007, 03:01 PM

WOW!

Above the call of duty for people who pay to go to school there!

Senusret I · #3 09-05-2007, 03:03 PM

If certain professors want a dress code, I can support that.

A school wide dress code is paternalistic (is that a word) and crazy.

I'm SO glad I went to school where I did.

Blacksocialite · #4 09-05-2007, 03:18 PM

It was a long standing tradition of historically Black colleges and universities to implement a dress code for their students.

These colleges were built on the philosophy of 'workforce prepareness' in addition to the attainment of higher education. So, many of these institutions 'trained' students for work and life after college.

Paul Quinn is a HBCU and is going back to their standard traditions.

Senusret I · #5 09-05-2007, 03:24 PM

I understand that. I still think it's stupid and paternalistic. Let the professors teach that particular lesson if it's relevant to the coursework. Otherwise, stop trying to replace good parenting and home training with a policy that patronizes the students.

I know people who went to class in pajamas and now make six figures.

KDAngel · #6 09-05-2007, 04:23 PM

It's a private school, it's fair game.

I personally think it's stupid, but oh well.

Still BLUTANG · #7 09-05-2007, 09:15 PM

On many HBCU campuses, students have adopted certain "dress days." For example, i think Wednesday was business dress where most every "involved" student wore suits or at least slacks & tie or skirts w/ pumps at NCCU. Thursdays the students wore their organizational Ps and performed some type of service (caf clean ups, etc). This was NPHC orgs, Honoraries, Professionals, Choir, Fashion Society, etc.

I have yet to read your blog but maybe the university codified what was being practiced anyway? I have no real opinion here (yet).

AKA_Monet · #8 09-06-2007, 02:17 AM

1) At Morehouse, the gentlemen must attend daily convocation, so everyday at 12 PM, the students are required to be there with suits and ties even though it is 1 million degrees.

2) At Spelman, women are asked to wear a white dress and black shoes with hosiery when they graduate. They have to attend convocation for the first 2 years for a certain amount of time. I have heard it has changed.

When I lived in Dallas, I can see why Paul Quinn instituted the dress code. To be honest, the college looks like a high school. It bears much, that the students behave that way too. When the president is asked to fundraise, you do not want your funders to feel threatened by the very students that you are trying to education. And it is uncouth to tell people what to do with their money... Moreover, I heard Paul Quinn is under the chopping block by the State of Texas. Why can't people just attend UT Arlington, or Texas Christian in Fort Worth, or SMU? There were 2-3 universities nearby. And, they are fully accredited. Whereas, when I lived in Dallas, Paul Quinn had questionable accreditation...

So dressing up the students, which is standard fare in Texas, will enable funders to donate money, that will improve the "educational standards" and they might keep their accreditation.

neosoul · #9 09-06-2007, 04:06 PM

what's a convocation?

AKA_Monet · #10 09-07-2007, 12:37 AM

A Convocation Is...

nikki1920 · #11 09-07-2007, 11:08 AM

I dont know about a daily dress code for classes. I dressed up when I had to give a presentation, but that's it. If you don't know to wear a suit for an interview, then that is lack of home training. I agree that it is not the colleges' responsibility to teach common sense. I attended a PWI and an HBCU. The dress code was WAY relaxed at the PWI (full pajamas, cut offs, etc) and was not as casual at the HBCU (jeans, t shirts). I was taught in middle school that you dress up when you have a performance (former band member!! whoo hoo) or a presentation to make before the class. All that money that I borrowed or my parents are paying; I should be able to wear what I want to. And you do have students who may not be able to afford business casual clothes that need to be worn 180 days of the year. I did see the clothing drive they had for the students, but still. I just think that's a bit extreme.

CutiePie2000 · #12 09-07-2007, 09:37 PM

mehhhh...I don't see what the big to-do is. I liken it to "jeans days" or "casual day Friday" at work.

AKA_Monet · #13 09-08-2007, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikki1920

I dont know about a daily dress code for classes. I dressed up when I had to give a presentation, but that's it. If you don't know to wear a suit for an interview, then that is lack of home training. I agree that it is not the colleges' responsibility to teach common sense...All that money that I borrowed or my parents are paying; I should be able to wear what I want to. And you do have students who may not be able to afford business casual clothes that need to be worn 180 days of the year. I did see the clothing drive they had for the students, but still. I just think that's a bit extreme.

While I agree with you at some point, some of these kids do not have what we would call a home--or at best, a "dysfunctional home". Folks just do not know any better, and guess what, that translates to jobs/careers and aspects of life that we find distasteful.

The monies paid for tuition does not cover infrastructure improvements. Those funds are obtained by grants, charitable gifts and endowments; and capital campaigns. The people the view these schools are not African American and expect certain standard features of a college when these people give their own money. When a college gets these funds, the administration will do what these funds; otherwise, these funds are rescinded. I know the Gates Foundation is notorious for taking money back if the entity does not do what stated in the grant.

What is unfortunate is poorer students inability to afford appropriate clothing. However, I am currently reading "Up From Slavery" from Booker T. Washington. It is interesting what he says about the students 1 generation from enslavement... And he notes that yes, these young people had no clue about basic hygiene and dress, but we will do better... And the book was first published in the early 20th century.

RU OX Alum · #14 09-10-2007, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I understand that. I still think it's stupid and paternalistic. Let the professors teach that particular lesson if it's relevant to the coursework. Otherwise, stop trying to replace good parenting and home training with a policy that patronizes the students.

I know people who went to class in pajamas and now make six figures.

not to mention that school spirit shirts and greek letters aren't appropriate for the workplace at all, at least in "professional" places

1908Revelations · #15 09-10-2007, 11:16 AM

My freshman year I attended an HBCU (Tuskegee) and we were not required any dress code....thank God! For the most part most people didn't do anything less than jeans and t-shirt, but never pajamas!! I guess most people 'dressed up' because thant is what most of the other students did.

If during freshman year I had to were school or greek nalia I would have been messed up, because I didn't have any school nalia and greek naila was not in order since I was not greek.

We had to go to convocation at least teice a month and more if our dorm director (read: dorm mother....that is a whole 'nother thread) or orientation teacher made us go. I am soooo glad I don't have to sit through any more of Dean Spears boring lectures