Dress code discussions are likely to intensify in HBCU after Tuskegee University announced new campus expectations covering student attire, classroom attendance and cell phone use.
Tuskegee President Dr. Mark A. Brown outlined the changes in a message addressed to parents of incoming students. Brown said the private HBCU is entering what he described as a period of transformation and renewal while expecting its largest new-student enrollment in 32 years.
The university’s new dress code requires students to arrive on campus prepared for professional settings. According to Brown’s message, students should wear business suits and appropriate shoes for business meetings and other professional occasions.
Students will not be permitted to wear revealing clothing in classrooms, dining spaces or official university settings such as Convocation. Bedroom shoes, bonnets and do-rags will also be prohibited in classrooms and the cafeteria.
Faculty members will be authorized to address students who do not follow the guidelines.
Private university sets its own campus standards
Tuskegee University is a private institution, giving it broader authority than a public university to establish campus conduct expectations as part of its educational mission. Students who choose to attend the Alabama HBCU agree to follow university policies outlined in its student handbook.
That distinction will likely become central to the public reaction. While some students and alumni may view the dress code as an important part of Tuskegee’s historic emphasis on discipline and professionalism, others may question whether the rules are too restrictive or outdated.
Brown framed the policies as workforce preparation rather than punishment.
“The goal here is not meant to restrict students from enjoying the Tuskegee Experience, but to prepare them with a solid foundation for the workforce they will enter once they leave Tuskegee,” Brown wrote.
The university is also tightening its attendance and cell phone rules. Students will no longer be allowed to use phones in class unless directed by the professor. Devices must be turned off to avoid disrupting instruction.
Brown also emphasized that students are required to attend class, calling attendance the foundation of academic success. The university plans to monitor attendance more closely.
Beyond classroom conduct, Tuskegee is requiring students to complete internships, identify professional certifications and develop résumés before graduation. The university said more than 30 certifications are available to students at no additional cost.
The new policies position Tuskegee as an HBCU seeking to combine academic preparation, professional development and traditional standards of campus conduct. Whether students embrace the changes may become one of the first major tests of the university’s new academic year.
It’s understandable
I attended NCAT and my son’s mom attended Bennett College. When we were dating Bennett had a dress code for visitors on campus and a curfew. Those were the days. Class of ’71?
I actually love this idea… seems like some of these basic lessons are being missed at home so why not teach them at university. They are seeking higher education, so this is just something to elevate them so they continue to exhibit black excellence!
I think it’s great. You got the black boys going to school looking like pro thugs somebody need to impart in them some business minded. The job market is very tight out here now so D fortune 100 company are not gonna hire nobody looking like a thug and you can take that to the grave.
My husband attended N.C.A.&T , I attended Bennett c/o 88..We still had a dress code, curfew etc..those were great days..
I like it, there is a time and place for everything… like they say, “dress for success”, “be the standard”! Go Skegee!
Bravo, Dr. Brown! Who would’ve thought we would have to defend ourselves as scholars and citizens in 2026? Yet, here we are. The HBCU’s were founded to try to equalize and dignify us in this backward civilization, and our progeny won’t recognize the need for these “old school” expectations on their own. I pray other HBCU’s follow your lead. God bless and keep you.
I did didn’t have the opportunity to attend a HBCU, however, I attended UWM-MILWAKEE campus.
I graduated with my BSW, MSW, however, at the time, our dress code was not a point of discussion.
I would say we were ready for employment in our style of dress styles.
I would concur with a change of styles for college students, classe’s are not club ready but job employment prepared.
I’m pleased that a college is preparing its students for a professional life. My own son attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. The males were required to wear a tie until noon. Because they had become accustomed to the tie, many of the young men continued to wear it the rest of the day. .
You’re right, those were the days and I am glad they’re gone. Today is not 55 years ago. That is the problem. Dr. Brown is a retired two-general and he is evidently use to mandating and controlling young soldiers. He is no longer in the military. We apparently don’t need all of that—maybe some of that. I suspect that he will get a lot of backlash, as he should.
I find this policy to be backwards looking. I read it and think “what dinosaur came up with this hack of an idea!” As an HBCU Grad and dad of 3 HBCU Grads I find this to be a lost opportunity. College is a time of exploration and learning not subjective conformity. Boo! to this. Upper Class majors in their last 2 years yes, dress to get an internship. Realize that the 50’s – 90’s are in the past where they belong. Focus on ideas not fashion. Discuss why the culture dresses and expresses itself the way it does so the students can understand.
Love this;) What happens when the rules are not followed?
This is to be commended. I have a friend in corporate America. The nonprofessional attire, not willing to conform to expectations of the company, and not desiring to learn basic corporate communication platforms like outlook and teams has caused many to not be offered permanent positions. This is a step in the right direction.
7/23/26
This is a great opportunity for HBCUs to provide an allowance and discount for College Branded Clothing online ans in the campus shops. Agree with the phone policy.
Charles E. Campbell-Allen, Black Race Man, MSW, HBCU Grad (JSU 90), YE Spr. 89 Que
An awesome idea. I pray the parents and students attending will embrace the changes. This is the best way to start preparing for the place you’re going. As a career professional I’ve seen such a decline in how students view what is required to step beyond the norm. Taking small steps to becoming your best self will save you the agony of being unprepared, rejected and missing out on opportunities that you qualify for, but are unprepared to handle. Employers are looking for the most prepared and require minimal training versus having to start from scratch with basic skills employees should already have. How to dress, appropriate language skills and self confidence is key. Your personal presentation will help get you in the doors and prepared, practiced confidence will give you the skills you need to sell yourself and get hired.
See yourself as the professional you plan to be. You’ll thank those who implemented this program when you’re done. Embrace the changes. Don’t try to think of reasons why it can’t work, but join those who say why not!!!? Technology , self respect and lack of morals are killing our generations, go be a advocate for change. Be the leaders of tomorrow, today.
Advocate for Kings and Queens taking their rightful place!
Yes. I’m a 80’s Bennett Belle and they did not play with us lol.
My son just recently graduated from Tuskegee and business attire was mandatory for his major.
Great idea! We had somewhat of a dress code for the same reasons when I was in graduate school at Meharry Medical College – an HBCU in Nashville, Tennessee in the early 1990s.
Interesting….I will follow this to see how it plays out. I believe I understand the intent although I think its overkill.
Hear Here President Brown. Respect and Responsibility come with Standard. Learning and Practicing Elevated Standards will only Enhance men and women. Thank you for your high standards demonstrated for all to see and praise a university President with courage and self respect.
Going back to old school. Grambling we did wear business attire specifically if you were a business major. Even today I dress that way and some of my coworkers don’t understand. As black I should be important for us to go a step above.
There will come a point when students challenge the system! Unnecessary step! M
My uncle attended Tuskegee in the 1930s. He was always an immaculate dresser. I think that the policy change is a great idea.
Tuskegee is one of the Black Ivy League institutions. I would expect no less 🙂
As an alum who graduated in the past decade, the dress code policy was already in effect as I recall my professor asking a student with very prominent nipple piercings to ponder her academic attire. As such, im not understanding how this is newsworthy or a change.
Amen! Amen!
I am only going by what was said in the article. So has anyone considered the cost to the students and parents? There is the initial cost of up grading their closets as well as maintaining those clothes. Not to mention wearing a suit in the heat of the south while having to walk across campus multiple times a day.. Also, the dress codes for men in corporate America has changed greatly.
Attending a HBCU is a privilege. Scholars look ready. Revealing clothing, bedtime attire, and bedroom slippers do not help with learning. Men with pants around their thighs with their whole underwear out included. Save all of that for after class.
Makes so much sense to me. I did not attend an HBCU when I went to college. It makes sense to prepare students to be professionals and ready to live in the real world.
Thank you, Dr. Brown, for setting such authentic policies and standards for younger, future leaders in this world.
I believe these new policies and procedures of having a dress code, limiting cell phone usage and calling attendance, will help the students in ways they’ve never experienced before….
It will help them become more, creative, more authentic, disciplined and more aware.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
KS
I graduated from a HBCU and I am sure we had a dress code but I don’t think it had to be readdressed. We enjoyed showing off our styles from different regions of the country. College is a time of exploration and learning and students can explore and learn without the bonnet, slippers and inappropriate exposure. They have plenty of time and many places to dress down if they choose. There is a time and a place and the classroom is not it. That is how the real world operates.
I love this. When students look the part, they act the part as well. If we to change behavior then changed the dress. I did this as a middle school principal and on the days of dress up, I had less discipline problems.
The Rev. Dr. Marvin J. Howard, Sr.
Hopefully they will provide a closet with gently used or new clothing for students who may not be able to afford extra expenses such as this.
I’m not a fan of the idea, but the beauty of this is that students have other schools to select from next year.
We talk about when attendance class, or a school function, where to dress semi- formal. (8-5pm) after 5pm and weekends and sports events wear what you wanted. We work for a company you can’t wear clothes not a proper attire. You can’t be on your text and at company meetings classrooms no different. If you think all right you stay home with mom or work fast food or retail
I think this is a great idea. My son attended a Microsoft mentorship program for Black student a couple of summers ago when he was a rising 10th grader. They required participants to dress business casual. They were preparing them for that particular work environment.
I’m glad they’re doing this. Too many students look like thugs and street walkers No sagging pants, bonnets or daisy dukes in class or on campus. These students are embarrassing to me. We never had a dress code to my knowledge, but we looked like students always appropriate. HBCU ??
There is nothing wrong with this idea. Dressing well will enhance the idea of putting your BEST foot forward, looking Ready for your day, build more confidence and preparedness for class, better preparation for the business world. I attended high school in the segregation era. Our school population, including teachers and staff, were Black. There was a strictly enforced dress code. Our female teachers put forth the idea that we were young ladies and should comport ourselves as such. The same ‘gentlemen’s’ conversation was had with the young men. Dressing for the success you want to achieve is not a bad thing. Embrace it; set an example for the young people who ‘see’ you, who want to be like you. You won’t regret it.
Exceptional decision! As a parent of teens, I cannot express how disappointed and embarrassed I was when walking on campus during homecoming. The number of bare but cheeks hanging from poor excuses for skirts absolutely disgusted me. Mother Tuskegee is better than that, and it’s far past time that the administration bring dignity back to the campus!
I applaud these efforts to increase our student’s ability to excel and be better equipped to navigate the world around them. Kudos and much success.
I wholeheartedly support this idea. I’ve taught at SUNY-Buffalo State University for 36 years and I’ve seen students’ attire devolve into “bedtime wear!” It’s incredulous how they dress for class. I actually give extra credit when students dress for class exams. Surprisingly, more than expected dress up which tells me students WANT to wear nice clothes to class but don’t bc the collegiate culture doesn’t encourage it. So kudos to the President of my Alma Mater—Class of 79, BS/Sociology—for TU’s trailblazing dress code policy. Heaven knows it is long overdue!
About time. It’s embarrassing as hell to see how a lot of these young people look on and off campus. When I interview, there have been times where I had to reeducate and although I didn’t have to I just knew somebody had to tell them that you don’t show up like this or that. Young people need to know that there are rules to this thing. Dress, dress casual, etc. styles but know when and how to do each. Parents please start enforcing this at home as early as possible because you don’t always get a second chance in the real world. These cell phones in class and at work ??, come on young men and women. It is just fuckin embarrassing to even have discuss these damn pajama pants, hair bonnets, and wave caps outside of the home. Say what you want but I’m one of the many people making employment and advancement decisions out here for your sons and daughters and I support this move 110%.
Admirable and timely initiative. Dr. Brown deserves to be applauded and lauded. The dress practices of our youth nowadays doesn’t command respect. Rather, they are viewed with dismay and are rejected in the corporate world.
As a 60 year old graduate student at Huston-Tillotson University, I believe it is an excellent idea and commitment.
It sets a visual tone to Black Excellence in a world of academia that is much needed.
Excellence is not the appearance of being, but the habit of doing. –rpenn
I attended Virginia State University “96” and we could enter Jones Dining Hall with caps on our heads. Now, they can’t enter with pajama bottoms.
I think it’s a wonderful idea and pray the parents and students are receptive of it.
This concept is not new but we as professionals who are hiring these young people appreciate it. As a proud Talladegan co95…. I can only hope my son adopts this mindset at Texas College co2030 go Steers!!!
It good to see standards of dress, behavior, and I assume integrity in academics is being enforced.
HBUCs seem to be ahead of the curve when it comes to holding their students to a higher standard. I wish all universities did this.
We need to bring back the atmosphere of debate and the arena of ideas. Instead we indoctrinate our students with leftist dogma instead of challenging them with a diversity of viewpoints.
Good job HBUCs in preparing your students for the real world.
All sounds well I hope the University can uphold the standards of student accommodations such as housing, electrical issues, flooding issues, food shortages and laundry facilities stay working as well.