N.C. Central student leaders discourage pajamas in class

Durham, N.C. — Student leaders at North Carolina Central University want students to rethink attending classes in baggy pants, hats and pajamas.

“We have a lot of recruiters and employers that come on our campus and see the students dressed in pajamas and have do-rags and sagging pants, and those are potential employers,” NCCU Student Government President Kent Williams said.

Williams and other student leaders have decided to turn students into models by putting them on cards that suggest how to dress. The cards will be distributed around campus after winter break.

Williams stressed leaders aren't trying to mandate a dress code, but want to encourage students to think a bit more about what they wear.

Students like freshman Jasmine Best admit changing habits won't be so easy.

“Sometimes I wake up a little late for class and then I’ve got to go in my pajamas and then I come back and put on some decent clothes,” Best said.

NCCU Career Services officials said dress has become even more important in a tough job market.

“It’s really that first impression that recruiters typically get. We want to make sure that students are aware of that,” NCCU Career Services Director Johnnie Southerland said.

NCCU student Charles Robinson thinks dressing better could have other effects too.

“It also might affect their grades, too,” Robinson said. “They might think better about themselves and get better grades and stuff like that.”