Students that do not follow school dress code
The campus where I work has established a class room dress code. The purpose of the dress code is to establish a "professionnal persona". I had the occaision this semester where a student clearly was not in proper attire. This particular student likes to test boundaries.
How would you address a student that "bends the rules" without causing friction with the student?
i also follow a strict college policy for the dress code. When they realize that it can affect their grade it truly sobers them and makes them take it seriously. Learning a profession is not only book knowledge but they are rated, hired/fired on professional behavior and that behavior needs to be taught and learned to extend their professional longevity in a position.
My students are allowed to bring their uniforms with them, then change into them as soon as they arrive. This tends to ease some of the stress of showing up already in uniform. This works well with students who are coming from work to school.
Kelley Haley
We have a school dress code. If the student is not in the proper scrubs they must see the director of education of the program chair for permission to stay. If this has happened before then the studnet is sent home and they lose a day of class. They are marked absent. I like the fact that it is included in their professional part of their grade.
I have a strict policy that they are not allowed in the class if not meeting the code. It usually only takes one time.
One of the ways that my school has addressed the dress code issue is to set up a specific course of action for students who violate the dress code. The students are given two warnings, then consequences begin to occur on the third offense. To me this helps to establish the fact that "rules are rules", and if a student cannot follow the rules, then they suffer the same consequences as everyone else. So in fact the friction is lessened because it becomes easier to explain to the student that they are only doing it to themselves, and the instructor is not the one really punishing them.
Hi Margaret,
Dress codes teach students the professional way. We have a dress code at my school, and it helps to produce a professional student. Some students do not know anything about professional dress.
Patricia Scales
That is a very good policy. Our program is new. I will bring your suggestion to my department chair for review . I think she may want to incorporate your suggestions into our policy.
Students must be made aware that the real world can be a demanding place and in order to be a success in the career place means you must be professionnal in every sense of the word.
We have a percent of their final grade that is call "professionalism". They lose point in that area if they did not meet the uniform requirement. This grade can also reflect their conduct in class and teamwork skills.
I have had students do the same the rule for labs is they have to be in there uniform or they cant work in lab. Student lose lab hours and points. I let them know the first day of class if they fail to wear there uniform it is 40% of there grade. Also ask the students to think like this if your employer has a uniform code are you going to conform or lose your job. I have no problems anymore.
Hi Margaret,
Sometimes you have to cause friction with the student. Enforce the rule, and reprimand the student accordingly.
Patricia Scales
