The students want freedom to choose what they wear to college, the authorities have mixed opinions on giving them a free run on this issue...
PALLAVI PASRICHA AND JAYA DRONA
The Times of India
The shopping is over, the clothes have been purchased – DU freshers have already decided what they’re going to wear for the entire first week of college. While some have bought hot tank tops, others have stocked up on harem pants – only the latest will do. Even for their admissions, students came dressed in haute outfits – a trend that has not gone unnoticed by the college authorities, some of whom take upon themselves the role of advising students what proper dressing on the campus is all about, each year. Are things any different this time around?
In Principal, DU’s OK with what students wear
Principal of Gargi College, Meera Ramchandran says, “These students are just out of school and very excited to be out of their uniforms. So, they will freak out for the first few months. But they will definitely settle into jeans and tees after that. However, I have instructed the teachers to take up the topic in class.” But the principal of SRCC, PC Jain has a very different opinion. He doesn’t want a dress code in his college. He says, “One must understand that a college is different from a school. Looking at the way students dress up, one can understand their nature, behaviour and aptitude. University means universal – it’s a liberal centre of learning and we should give ample scope to the students to decide not only their dresses but also matters related to their studies.” Taking a middle stance is SK Arora, principal, Hansraj College. “These things can be dealt at a individual level. If we find a student indecently dressed, he or she can be spoken to by the teachers or by me. There’s no need to pass a law on this issue, and rap everyone on their knuckles unnecessarily.”
‘A dress code’s meaningless’
Ask the students, and they feel such a code is unnecessary. Pallavi Pathania, LSR says, “There is no need for a dress code, we are no longer in school. The authorities should not go overboard about this. Skirts, capris and tight tops are fine I think.” Students don’t want any boundaries to restrict them once they enter the college. Akshaya Shah, Hansraj College says, “I will wear what is comfortable – denim skirts, capris, funky tops with cool messages.” One girl we spoke to says she took admission in the all girls Maitreyi College so that she doesn’t feel any compulsion to wear a certain style of clothes. Saloni Kumari (name changed) says, “A girls’ college allows you to wear what you want. If I wear knee length skirts, at least there won’t be ten guys giving me a once over. Having a dress code is meaningless because we are mature enough to make make up our minds on what to wear to college.”
So, while the students want to dress easy, the authorities want to have their say on the issue. A few days into college will tell where all this is leading. Let’s wait and watch...
Looks like it’s going to be a jeans and top affair
PALLAVI PASRICHA AND JAYA DRONA
The Times of India
The shopping is over, the clothes have been purchased – DU freshers have already decided what they’re going to wear for the entire first week of college. While some have bought hot tank tops, others have stocked up on harem pants – only the latest will do. Even for their admissions, students came dressed in haute outfits – a trend that has not gone unnoticed by the college authorities, some of whom take upon themselves the role of advising students what proper dressing on the campus is all about, each year. Are things any different this time around?
In Principal, DU’s OK with what students wear
Principal of Gargi College, Meera Ramchandran says, “These students are just out of school and very excited to be out of their uniforms. So, they will freak out for the first few months. But they will definitely settle into jeans and tees after that. However, I have instructed the teachers to take up the topic in class.” But the principal of SRCC, PC Jain has a very different opinion. He doesn’t want a dress code in his college. He says, “One must understand that a college is different from a school. Looking at the way students dress up, one can understand their nature, behaviour and aptitude. University means universal – it’s a liberal centre of learning and we should give ample scope to the students to decide not only their dresses but also matters related to their studies.” Taking a middle stance is SK Arora, principal, Hansraj College. “These things can be dealt at a individual level. If we find a student indecently dressed, he or she can be spoken to by the teachers or by me. There’s no need to pass a law on this issue, and rap everyone on their knuckles unnecessarily.”
‘A dress code’s meaningless’
Ask the students, and they feel such a code is unnecessary. Pallavi Pathania, LSR says, “There is no need for a dress code, we are no longer in school. The authorities should not go overboard about this. Skirts, capris and tight tops are fine I think.” Students don’t want any boundaries to restrict them once they enter the college. Akshaya Shah, Hansraj College says, “I will wear what is comfortable – denim skirts, capris, funky tops with cool messages.” One girl we spoke to says she took admission in the all girls Maitreyi College so that she doesn’t feel any compulsion to wear a certain style of clothes. Saloni Kumari (name changed) says, “A girls’ college allows you to wear what you want. If I wear knee length skirts, at least there won’t be ten guys giving me a once over. Having a dress code is meaningless because we are mature enough to make make up our minds on what to wear to college.”
So, while the students want to dress easy, the authorities want to have their say on the issue. A few days into college will tell where all this is leading. Let’s wait and watch...
Looks like it’s going to be a jeans and top affair
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