Student Dress Code

Student Dress Code

Rationale

The purpose of this revision in the current athletic training student (ATS) dress code is to provide the minimum acceptable level of dress for the ATS during his or her assigned clinical experiences. This dress code represents the minimal acceptable level of dress for all clinical settings used by the Minnesota State Athletic Training Education Program. Please note that the Approved Clinical Instructor (ACI) or the clinical setting may require the ATS to dress at a level above this dress code, but may not be less stringent. In addition, the ATS will not be required to purchase clothing which is specific to any given clinical setting or rotation.

Statement of Purpose

The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) at Minnesota State University, Mankato, believes that an environment in which all ATS display the highest levels of respect and professionalism will foster an educational environment that is consistent with learning and with the development of professional practice in athletic training. This policy applies to conduct during, and related to all assigned clinical experiences of the ATEP. An ATS entering the field upon graduation must understand that professional appearance as a health care provider is crucial to the development of respect and patient confidence.

Dress Code

1. The ATS must wear his or her nametag indicating that s/he is an "athletic training student" during all clinical experiences. The ATS will be provided a nametag upon admission to the program, however loss of the nametag or a name change will require the ATS to purchase a new nametag from the campus "Hub" at his or her expense.
2. The ATS must wear a polo style shirt, with collar, tucked into pants at all times unless the shirt is specifically tailored (Faculty and ACI judgement) to be left untucked, then the student must not expose his/her midriff, navel, hips, or undergarments. The polo must be solid color white, black, purple, yellow/gold and must not contain the logo of any organization, institution, team, etc. with the exception of the company logo who manufactured the shirt (e.g. Nike swoosh, Adidas logo, Ralph Lauren logo, etc). Minnesota State Athletic Training logo polo style shirts, tee–shirts, sweatshirts, and pullovers are also generally acceptable unless they are in poor condition, worn inappropriately (not tucked in), or the ATS's ACI believes the shirt to be unprofessional. Finally, should the ATS purchase or be provided a shirt that is specific to an off–campus clinical setting s/he may wear that shirt, in that setting only, as long as the supervising ACI approves.
3. The ATS must wear khaki style pants/slacks that are khaki, white, tan/brown, green, black, or blue and must be in good condition (i.e. clean and free of holes, fraying, etc). Khaki style shorts may also be worn during warm weather, with ACI permission, and must be in good condition (i.e. see above and cutoffs are not acceptable). Denim shorts or pants are not acceptable.
4. The ATS must wear footwear appropriate to the setting. Dress shoes or gym/tennis shoes are allowed, however sandals, flip–flops, and high heels are not allowed.
5. The ATS may not wear any jewelry that does not convey a professional atmosphere. In addition, jewelry must not interfere with any functions that may be performed by an athletic trainer (e.g. lip piercing may interfere with rescue breathing, some types of ear rings may interfere with auscultations)
6. The ATS may not wear hats of any kind inside of a building (i.e. athletic training room or clinic). An appropriate hat may be worn out doors, however that hat must not contain any logo that is not specific to the institution and the hat must be worn correctly (e.g. baseball hats must be worn with the brim forward, etc.)
7. The above represents the minimal acceptable level of dress for the ATS in his/her clinical experiences as a part of the athletic training program at Minnesota State. The ATS must understand that the supervising ACI or clinical site may require specific dress or uniform that exceeds the above dress code (e.g. dress slacks and blouse or a jacket and tie for a basketball game), however the ATS is not allowed to dress at a level below this code.
8. The ATS is financially responsible for meeting dress code requirements.

Enforcement

The ATS is expected to dress accordingly at all times, thus "enforcement" should be a moot issue. However, program faculty and ACIs will enforce this dress code by 1) first violation will result in a verbal warning to the ATS and requiring the ATS to change into appropriate clothing and/or wear his/her nametag. It is the ATS responsibility to assure the availability of clean, proper fitting clothing and nametag, 2) second violation will result in a written warning, this warning will be kept in the students record, 3) third violation will result in clinical probation, and a 4) fourth violation may result in dismissal from the program. While a verbal warning will be allowed for the first dress code violation dues to the newness of the policy, the steps 2–4 listed above mirror the "Athletic Training Student Program Contract of Understanding" and this policy will replace the previous dress code beginning Fall Semester 2005.