THE MATTEO Ricci Hall is under the Rizal Library.
This is what students have been reminded of since the dress code in Matteo Ricci has been more strictly implemented by the guards and the administration. This means that people wearing slippers, short shorts, and other “inappropriate attire” will not be allowed inside the building.
According to Rizal Library Director Lourdes David, the dress code policy in Matteo Ricci started “last year, even before we moved [to the new Rizal Library].”
However, she clarified that it was only recently that the dress code policy became stricter. “Matagal na ‘yun (it was a while back), probably the guards were not implementing the rules,” said David.
Overreaction?
David said that one reason for the lax implementation of the policy was due to students fighting with the guards.
“We have been very strict, it’s just that some of the guards are afraid of the students…we have had two instances [just] this semester [when the students] were told that they cannot enter because of slippers or short shorts. They banged the door, they kicked [it],” she said.
David said that students have to control their emotions in situations like this. “They apologized for doing it, pero nagawa na nila (but they already did it),” David said.
Reviewing the reason
David explained that the dress code policy was from the Vice President’s Office and is a response to the complaints of some parents. “[The parents] did not realize that…the Ateneo, being a Catholic university [would allow] the use of short shorts, spaghetti straps… nagagalit sila (they get mad).”
Employers have also raised complaints on proper attire. “There was one occasion where [the employer] was in the elevator and there was one girl beside her who was changing…from slippers to shoes, putting on her blazer…and she found out later on that that girl was applying for a job,” said David.
A similar incident occurred in the University of Santo Tomas, where a dress code policy was also implemented. David recounted, “[One student] was already in the UST Library and she was asking me to talk to the librarian because they did not allow her to go inside because she was wearing slippers.”
David said, “It’s really a response to the impression of parents about the school…because this is not the beach, this is not your house, this is a school.”
Reactions
Junior Robert Goce said that he was aware of the stricter dress code policy in the Matteo Ricci Hall but disagreed with it. “[The dress code is] probably too much, I mean, we do need some freedom.”
Alejandro Umali, a senior, believes that the stricter dress code in Matteo Ricci is unfair. He added that some students prefer to wear shorts and slippers because of the humid weather. “The school must understand that students wear the things they wear for comfort, function and style,” said Umali.
David said that many students do not like the stricter rules, “[They do not like it], and there are those who complain that this is a tropical country… [however], when you are [inside the school] you have to do as we ask you to do.”
A Catholic university
“[The dress code] is not for us but for them,” said David.
“A lot of them go to America, go to different parts of the world, and that is where they see how students dress inside the campus… [but] there is a proper dress code. Since this is a Catholic and a Filipino university, we have to dress as Catholics and as Filipinos.”
