On the first day welcoming students to the campus, the St Stephen’s College Principal, Prof Susan Elias, issued a circular instructing students to follow a dress code which bars students from wearing shorts in specific areas of the campus.
While some called it ‘conservative’, other students believe they are simply being prepared for the corporate world.
What the circular stated?
The circular issued by the new Principal stated that “shorts are strictly prohibited” in specific areas such as classrooms, tutorials, laboratories, the Chapel, the Assembly Hall, the Library, and the Dining Hall.
It further added that the “entire college campus is a designated Smoke-Free Zone. Any violation of this rule will result in strict disciplinary action.”
The circular also reminded students to “maintain campus cleanliness by using the provided litter/trash bins”, and carry their valid College ID Card at all times. “You may be required to present your ID before entering the Dining Hall for meals,” the circular added.
Is this new?
Students who have been a part of the North Campus college for the past few years quickly clarified that these rules have always been a part of the campus.
Akshaan, a second-year Philosophy (Hons) student shared with Times Now Digital that these rules “have always been there, and were circulated again this year only to let the freshers know about these rules”.
Agreeing to this, a second-year English (Hons) student added that the circular was re-issued as the new Principal has taken charge from the new academic year.
‘It’s Not That Strict’
Students who are enrolled in St Stephen’s College believe that the rules should not be categorised as an oppressive move, as these rules have been implemented for valid reasons.
“First, these rules aren’t new, and second the aim behind the dress code is to ensure that we start preparing for the corporate world from now onwards. This is not regressive, but simply forward-looking,” said Dev, a second-year Economy (Hons) student.
Echoing the same sentiment, Akshaan also shared how the campus also follows a rule of “always walking on your left side”, which is a basic etiquette which is followed around the world.
A second-year student also added that students still show up in shorts, but “disciplinary action is taken against them”, and added that this should not be treated as a “big deal”.
On the other hand, there are a few students who believe this is obstruction to “our right of expression”. Nemar, a fresher in Philosophy (Hons) and Nidhi Bhati, a second-year student, believe that college students should be treated like adults, instead of being dictated to about how to dress and behave.
“I think it also becomes a hassle for sports students as they wear a lot of sports shorts, and then they have to keep an extra set of clothes simply because of this dress code,” Bhati added.
Akshaan, who has no problems with the dress code, did add that it might be a problem for hostellers “who wish to roam around the campus in their comfortable clothing after the official college hours are over.”