Xavier students weigh professionalism and self-expression in campus dress code 

By Michael Haynes 

As Xavier University began the fall 2026 semester, students were reminded of the university’s existing dress code, which outlines guidelines for student attire in and outside classrooms.

Dress codes at historically Black colleges and universities have drawn national attention, with campuses such as Tuskegee University and Southern University sparking ongoing debates over attire expectations. While Xavier’s dress standards have remained mostly consistent over the years, the university’s reminder has renewed discussions about professional standards on modern-day college campuses.

Curtis Wright, vice president of student affairs at Xavier, reiterated the university’s dress code standards for various campus settings in a July 23 email to students and faculty.

According to the guidelines, students are expected to wear neat, modest and casual attire in classrooms, the cafeteria, the University Center and university offices. Business casual attire is expected at convocations, Founders Day celebrations, Black History Month programs and events held in the Saint Katharine Drexel Chapel. For social and recreational activities, modest, casual attire is appropriate, while students attending balls, galas and other formal celebrations should dress according to the formality of the event.

In the email, Wright connected the policy to Xavier’s mission as the nation’s only Catholic HBCU, emphasizing the university’s commitment to professionalism, respect and individual expression. He said the policy is intended to maintain a learning environment that respects students’ individuality while encouraging appropriate attire across campus.

The policy also prohibits certain clothing and accessories, including bonnets, do-rags, bandanas, stocking caps, skullcaps and scarves outside residence hall rooms. Baseball caps, hoods and other head coverings are not permitted inside campus buildings, with exceptions for approved religious or cultural attire. Other restrictions include sleepwear outside residence halls, clothing that exposes undergarments and attire displaying offensive or lewd language or images.

Students who do not follow the policy may be asked to change before attending class, entering university offices or participating in campus events, according to the email.

Wright said students should keep these expectations in mind as they pack for the semester.

“As members of the Xavier community, students are expected to present themselves in a manner appropriate to the educational environment,” he added.

For Mya Guy, the 91st Miss Xavier, professionalism and individuality are not mutually exclusive.

“As the world evolves, fashion and our interpretation of professional clothing evolve too,” Guy said.

Guy said students can still express their individuality through options such as color, accessories and the way they create outfit combinations. She highlighted campus organizations such as the XULA Fashion Society and XpressU as resources that help students navigate their expression alongside professional standards through workshops and open conversations.

Although some students viewed the dress code as limiting, others saw the expectations as important in helping students prepare for a workforce that already has preconceived biases about Black students.

“I do agree that some students see the dress code as restrictive, but I also understand where Xavier is coming from,” said Marsean Williams, the 12th Mister Xavier.

“A lot of times in the workplace, as Black individuals, we are considered the minority. If we get into the habit of dressing professionally and looking like we belong in the spaces we enter, people may begin to look at us differently and recognize what we bring to the table.”

The ongoing discussion sheds light on a broader debate across higher education over whether universities should actively shape students’ professional presentation or allow them to navigate those expectations independently.

For Guy, the balance comes down to understanding the setting without losing individuality.

“To me, the balance is being able to express your character while understanding what the occasion calls for,” Guy said.