Dress codes for student workers have become a hot topic in colleges and universities.
ULM offers various types of on-campus employment opportunities from tutoring at the Student Success Center to working at the ULM Child Development Center. These on-campus work experiences allow student workers the opportunity to participate in professional careers in many forms.
Unfortunately, not all jobs require a dress code. That should be unacceptable here.
You may say that requiring dress codes of student workers restricts individual expression. Also, it teaches conformity instead of individuality. The fact is, a dress code enables student workers to prepare for their futures. Not all careers include a professional attire but students should be required to dress appropriately for whatever job they are doing.
ULM is preparing students for their futures and should maintain environments conducive to learning. Students should be held to the standard of work attire. This should be taught sooner in life, rather than later.
In the student employment manual, it states that students are required to dress appropriately for an interview. After the student is hired, it is up to the employment office whether or not an appropriate dress code is implemented.
If a student is hired for an on-campus job, regardless of the job, the student should have a dress code for three main reasons. First, each student worker is representing the campus. Second, if a student worker is dressed for the job, others seeking help can easily identify the employee. Third, it shows students how to dress appropriately for their future careers. Dressing appropriate for on-campus jobs inspires confidence, teaches professionalism and helps identification.
A positive example happened this semester. I went to the Write Place on campus while seeking help for an assignment in one of my courses. I could easily identify the employee who assisted me as she was wearing a name tag. This person was also dressed in business casual attire. This proved to me that she cared enough to have impact on those she works with.
ULM should strive to make appropriate dress code attire a requirement here on campus. This can provide a place of professional development and have a visual representation of higher education.