Return of the Dress Code

Trips to the dry cleaner and mini shopping sprees at stores like Brooks Brothers are just some of the tasks awaiting undergraduate marketing students at Illinois State University's College of Business this school year. Starting Aug. 27, all students taking classes in the marketing department are required to adhere to a strict business casual code, one that requires them to come to class in items such as pressed polo shirts, pants with finished seams, and dress heels. Students tested out the policy during a grace period last week.

The move is part of a broader effort by the College of Business—which has previously had a dress code for some specialized courses and sequences—to institute new professional conduct code standards for students. Faculty want students to be prepared to meet at any time with recruiters or donors who may visit the school: Looking professional is a key part of that strategy, they said. "We believe wearing business casual kind of gives our students a leg up," said Timothy Longfellow, chairman of the College of Business' marketing department. "They now have two years to really learn what business causal is, rather than perhaps making mistakes when they start their jobs."