VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

or dress slacks. Female students may wear both skirts or dresses of appropriate length or dress slacks/khakis. Shorts, jeans, and hats are not allowed in the classroom. Any hood on a shirt should be worn as a collar only and may not cover the head as a hat. Business casual attire blends traditional business attire with a more relaxed style, aiming to look professional without being overly formal. Business casual attire for male students is defined as a collared shirt (e.g. button-down or polo), long pants such as dress pants/chinos/khakis, and casual dress shoes. A blazer or sport coat is optional. Business casual attire for female students is defined as blouses or tops of professional appearance with skirts or dresses of appropriate length or slacks/chinos/khakis, and closed-toe shoes. High heel shoes must be short enough to be functional, especially in clinical settings. A blazer is optional. VCOM does not allow denim-jeans, of any color; flip-flops; casual sandals, t-shirts; tank tops, halter tops, men’s shirts without a collar; shirts with unprofessional writing; shorts; hats, or other such casual dress. Business casual attire should not look like cocktail, party, or picnic attire. Any hood on a shirt should be worn as a collar only and may not cover the head as a hat. Scrubs may be worn for laboratory work only. In the classroom, anatomy lab, conference rooms, auditoriums, PPC/OMM labs, or other similar venues, hats should not be worn. If a student has a compelling reason they feel would be appropriate for them to wear a hat or head covering, they should speak to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs in advance. Scarves or headdresses that appear professional and are worn for religious purposes are allowed. In the laboratories and patient care areas, OSHA regulations prohibit open-toed shoes; therefore, for purposes of safety, students must wear closed-toe shoes in these areas. Dress Code in the Anatomy Lab In addition to the universal dress code outlined above, while in the anatomy lab, students must change into scrubs and closed-toe shoes. Hats may not be worn in the anatomy lab. Scarves or headdresses that appear professional and are worn for religious purposes are allowed. Dress Code in the OMM Lab In addition to the universal dress code outlined above, the dress requirement in clinical skills training sessions is designed to promote learning by providing optimal access to diagnostic observation and palpatory experience. Wearing inappropriate clothing interferes with a partner’s experience of diagnosis and treatment. Appropriate attire must be clean. Each student doctor must be appropriately attired before class begins. Students who do not wear the required clothing will be asked to leave the lab and return when they are appropriately clothed. If the student cannot return in appropriate clothing for a significant portion of the lab, the student may receive an absence for this lab at the discretion of the PPC/OMM Chair. If a student repeatedly persists in not dressing appropriately it will be considered unprofessional conduct, and he/she will be referred to the Office of Student Affairs. • When not in the role of the patient: o Students may wear T-shirts, scrub wear, or sweatshirt/pants. However, students must be wearing the prescribed laboratory attire beneath this clothing. o Hats or head coverings (other than for religious purposes) are not permitted in the lab. • When in the role of the patient, students may keep their T-shirts, scrub wear, or sweatshirt/pants on until an area of the body needs exposed for examination and/or palpation. When an area of the body needs

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