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St Stephen s College Bans Shorts in Classrooms and Library
St Stephen s College bans shorts from classrooms and library areas as part of a new formal dress code policy that has sparked widespread discussion among students and faculty at Delhi University. The prestigious institution, located in the heart of New Delhi, has issued an official circular prohibiting students from wearing shorts in multiple campus locations, marking the first time such a restriction has been formally enforced through written regulations. According to reports, several students openly defied the new dress code on the very first day of the academic session, which commenced on Tuesday, demonstrating the immediate impact of this policy change.
The circular, issued on July 26 by Principal Professor Susan Elias, clearly outlines the areas where shorts are now prohibited. Students are barred from wearing shorts in classrooms, tutorial rooms, laboratories, the chapel, assembly hall, library, and dining hall. This comprehensive list covers most of the key academic and social spaces within the college campus, ensuring that the dress code applies to both formal learning environments and communal areas where students gather.
Student Reactions and Concerns
The announcement has generated mixed reactions across the student body, with some viewing it as a necessary step toward maintaining campus decorum while others see it as an overreach. The official order states that “All junior members are required to strictly adhere to the campus regulations,” emphasizing the mandatory nature of the new policy. Students and faculty members noted that while the college has informally discouraged wearing shorts for several years, this represents the first formal enforcement through an official circular, making it significantly more impactful than previous informal guidelines.
While some students described the dress code as an instance of “moral policing,” others argued that it would create practical difficulties, particularly for those participating in sports and other physical activities. “Students returning from sports practice have at times been denied entry into the mess because they were wearing shorts,” a student told the Times of India, highlighting the real-world consequences of the policy. The circular, titled “Campus Regulations & Guidelines”, also reiterates that the entire campus is a designated smoke-free zone, warning that violations will invite strict disciplinary action.
It further instructs students to help maintain campus cleanliness by using designated waste bins. The students have also been directed to carry their college identity cards at all times and present them before entering the dining hall for meals. These additional requirements, while seemingly minor, contribute to the overall framework of campus discipline that the administration is trying to establish through this comprehensive set of regulations.
Delhi University’s new academic session commenced on Tuesday, with colleges across the university welcoming freshers through orientation and induction programmes. Several colleges are also holding department-wise orientation sessions to familiarise new students with campus life, academic procedures, and student support services. The timing of St Stephen’s College shorts ban announcement coincides with this broader university-wide initiative, suggesting that the administration may be using this period of transition to implement various policy changes simultaneously.
The circular, issued on July 26 by Principal Professor Susan Elias, clearly outlines the areas where shorts are now prohibited, covering most of the key academic and social spaces within the college campus.
As the academic year progresses, the effectiveness of this new dress code policy will likely be evaluated based on student compliance and feedback. The administration has indicated that it remains open to receiving suggestions from the student community, suggesting that the policy may be subject to revision if significant concerns are raised. For now, St Stephen s College bans shorts as part of its effort to maintain a formal academic environment while balancing the practical needs of students engaged in various campus activities.
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