Gladys Fe Montebon
October 11, 2023
"Walang sanctions ang alinsabay doon sa hindi pagsunod sa strict implementation ng pagsusuot ng uniform."
Amid the concerns regarding the logging of student names who did not follow the student clothing guidelines imposed at Bulacan State University (BulSU), Students Rights and Welfare (SRW) Chairperson and Student Government Senator Althea Jana Trinidad clarified in an interview on October 5, that the main reason for this measure is for statistical and security purposes only.
This follows the announcement of the Office of Safety, Security and Disaster Risk Management (OSSDRM) last September 25 that reminders on student clothing issued by the Office Students Affairs and Services (OSAS) will be strictly observed, and implemented.
The said notice also serves as a reminder to students to abide by the dress code, specifically on wearing prescribed uniforms when entering the campus, whether they have classes or not.
Concerns grow over strict observance on student clothing
In a notice posted on the Facebook group of BulSU SG, a student shared her struggles in entering the university after wearing pants due to health-related conditions.
“...pagpasok ko sa BSU sa gate 1 pinalista po pangalan at kung saan kang college galing plus pirma. I told them [guards] na kaya ako naka-pants ay [dahil] nag-active yung eczema ko, I asked them ‘para saan po?’ pero tinuro lang nila [logbook] then sabing ‘mag-log po dito ma’am.”
However, the reminders on student clothing did not include that one may choose to wear civilian clothes if they are having health-related issues.
Other students also expressed their distress upon entering the university. “There was a time na 10 mins lang naman ako sa BulSU kasi magte-take lang dapat ng quiz, pero ayaw pumayag ng guards. White t-shirt at pants naman sana ang suot,” another student commented.
Moreover, some students find it inconvenient to wear a uniform when they are just complying on deadlines, or attending organizational activities.
“‘yong paglilista, ‘yong pagpupuntos ng dami ng beses ng estudyante na hindi pagsusuot ng uniform ay hindi naman reasonable at dapat na maging maluwag sila kung meron na pagkakataon na hindi makapagsuot ng uniform ang mga estudyante or maaaring tanungin bakit hindi nag uniform,” Trinidad told TC.
Certification for civilian access to be applied
On October 3, the BulSU SG proposed for consideration of those students who do not have classes, but have to access the university during scheduled days of uniform requirement. This includes students with urgent compliance on university office transactions, non-lecture academic affairs (thesis consultations, productions, compliance of deadline, etc.), school organization and publication matters.
It was then approved on October 9 as the Office of Student Regent (OSR) issued Notice Order No. 1: Dress Code Compliance and Civilian Permit, requiring students to submit a certification for civilian access upon entering the university. This must also be certified by their college dean the day before its usage.
“May mga estudyante na pumapasok na kaya hindi sila naka-uniform dahil wala naman klase… for meeting, for practices or other stuff na hindi naman talaga required ng strict implementation ng pagsusuot ng uniform,” Trinidad continued.
The OSR also made it clear that the consideration will only be applicable to those who truly do not have classes on the specific days of uniform to enter without having to explain or be interrogated for long. Otherwise, students with classes should still follow the rules on prescribed uniforms.
What are the rules on student clothing?
These are the dress code written in the student handbook,
Daily uniform during Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
Wash day on Wednesdays
Org Shirt/ Uniform on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Cross-dressing is not allowed unless its a cultural performance
Male should have short hair
Provocative clothes are not allowed
Almost similar but more detailed reminders on student clothing was released by OSAS on August 9:
Wearing of prescribed school uniforms shall be observed every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Wednesdays are designated Wash Days, hence, students are expected to wear decent casual clothes with the following emphasis:
a. Simple, appropriate, and decent attire.
b. Haltered tops, spaghetti-strapped tops, and sandos are not allowed.
c. Ripped jeans are allowed as long as they are not revealing.
d. Mini skirts and shorts are not allowed.
Fridays are Organization Shirt Days. Wearing of organization shirt is optional, hence, if a student decides not to wear the organization shirt, he/she should wear the prescribed school uniform.
Slippers (rubber/leather) will be allowed during high tide and during inclement weather.
Upholding the rights related to student clothing stated in the Magna Carta of Students (MCOS)
“Wala po kaming klase at sinabi ko naman po na magpapasa lang po sana ko ng excuse letter, pero sinabi po na dapat daw nag-u-uniform ako, in fact po galing ako sa work no’n at sumaglit lang talaga ko para magpasa pero pinalista parin ‘yung pangalan ko,” a student also commented on the same post.
The Magna Carta of Students (MCOS) gives rights and privileges to working students, and states that they should be allowed to be excused from wearing uniforms in extreme cases, but this consideration is not recognized by the student handbook.
“We are taking part sa kakulangan ng implementation. And now na nakita namin yung kakulangan sa implementation, inaayos na namin ‘yong rules and regulations na nakabatay doon sa article na nakalagay sa Magna Carta,” Trinidad explained.
“Lalo at hindi ini-implement ito [MCOS] ng administration, or ng school natin dahil daw masyadong vague. So, Student Government is taking part para maging strict na yung implementation, at ‘yong implementation na iyon ay makapagbigay kaluwagan sa mga estudyante lalo na sa mga working students natin na talaga naman na ipit yung schedule nila,” she added.
Nonetheless, despite the clarifications that there would be no punishments for students who violate the guidelines on student clothing, the university will continue to strictly observe the dress code, and will continue to log the names of students who will not comply with the policy.
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