Demystify: 

While I am no longer in the trenches, this problem is well known to me. As the CHO, when I observed improperly dressed students I would bring it to the attention of the specific lab coordinator (intro, organic, etc.) and have them bring it to the attention of the faculty member. After that, it went to the departmental chair to address with the faculty member.

That said, in my experience, this was less a social issue and more about faculty just not caring to enforce very basic rules in teaching labs because they thought that being in lab was more important for the student than being in lab properly attired. For the non-tenure tract folks, they did not want negative evaluations since they had little job security. Even with chair intervention, some faculty will not be held accountable for any reason in academia. When if I noticed this walking by a lab, I had no problem either saying something to the student or pulling an instructor off to the side and point out improper dress to them or students not wearing goggles - and most would take action.

Personally, in my labs, those not adhering to the dress code were not allowed in lab. Typically, if you send a student home to change once it solves the problem with that student and lets the other students know you are not kidding around.

Glad that I do not have to deal with this any longer.....
S-

From: Wendy L Hom <Wendy.L.Hom**At_Symbol_Here**hofstra.edu> 
Re: Advice about laboratory attire

We had less of this before the pandemic but since coming back, there are students that have not been wearing appropriate lab attire and it has been challenging trying to get the instructors to enforce this. I was told by another female colleague that some male colleagues find it awkward to tell young ladies that they need to cover up as it goes against the societal rule that older men should not comment on the bodies of young women.
 
They know and we all know that it is important for safety and we have this in the lab safety guide that all students review and attest to, and we have posted signs on the outside of the lab doors.
 
Does the group have any advice or suggestions to address this? I always thought it was entirely appropriate to tell someone that they were not wearing appropriate attire for the lab and they could not continue since it was not directly commenting on one�??s body. 
 
Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!
 

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