Paul Quinn President presents changes; includes new campus dress code for students
On the Paul Quinn College website , Interim President Michael J. Sorrell has posted a letter to students making them aware of a number changes at the school (see Mr. Sorrell's letter to the students here).
Item number one will probably draw the most attention:
1. Dress Code: It is our mission to educate and better prepare our students for successful professional careers. To that end, beginning in the Fall we are implementing a business casual dress code for the campus. Between the hours of 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Thursday, students will no longer be allowed to wear jeans, gym shoes, flip flops, pajama bottoms, shorts, sweatshirts, sweatsuits, halter tops, or shirts without collars outside of their dormitories. Students who fail to adhere to this policy will not be (1) allowed to attend class or (2) served in the cafeteria. The only exception to this rule is on Fridays. Fridays will be "Paul Quinn Pride Days." Students will be permitted to wear jeans and shorts if they are wearing Greek or school paraphernalia. We are in the process of collecting clothing items in order to assist our students who may not have the necessary items to comply with this change. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact or Vice-President of Student Affairs, Ms. Cynthia Marshall-Biggins at 214-302-3532.
Mr. Sorrell also made the announcement Sunday at Friendship-West Baptist Church. There the news was met with thunderous applause. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, Senior Pastor of Friendship-West, serves on the Paul Quinn Board of Trustees . Paul Quinn, founded in 1872, is referred to as the oldest historical Black college west of the Mississippi River.
I also applaud the effort of Mr. Sorrell, the Paul Quinn Board, and all those who were involved with the decision. With dress codes being enforced in nearly all aspects of professional life, why not start early? The trend of students wearing house shoes and pajamas to class has gotten out of hand. In his remarks, Sorrell spoke of former students who reminded him of the days when ladies had to wear stockings to class.
Mr. Sorrell encouraged anyone who wants to donate "gently used" clothing to students to do so by contacting the school, or by bring clothing to Friendship-West over the next three Sundays. Don't go to the back of the closet trying to dump your trash on the young folks at Paul Quinn. Donate clothes that are befitting of our future lawyers, doctors, and community leaders. Leaving a few dollars in the pockets (or with the school) probably wouldn't hurt either.
