Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish professional dress and identification standards that promote safety, professionalism, institutional identity, and public confidence in Xavier University School of Veterinary Medicine (XUSOVM) students.
Standard Student Uniform
The prescribed student uniform is:
Male Students
- Official XUSOVM polo shirt
- Khaki pants
- Closed-toe professional footwear
Female Students
- Official XUSOVM polo shirt
- Khaki pants or khaki skirt no shorter than knee length
- Closed-toe professional footwear
The University reserves the right to approve alternative uniform options that meet professional, cultural, religious, or medical requirements.
Laboratory Attire
Scrub suits may only be worn during scheduled laboratory sessions, clinical skills laboratories, anatomy laboratories, or other educational activities specifically requiring such attire.
Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required depending upon the nature of the activity and may include:
- Laboratory coats
- Gloves
- Protective eyewear
- Boots
- Coveralls
- Masks or respirators
- Other safety equipment as directed by faculty
Clinical and Field Activities
For all hospital visits, clinical experiences, ambulatory activities, field visits, community outreach events, and other professional activities, students must:
- Wear the prescribed University uniform unless otherwise instructed;
- Wear a laboratory coat when required;
- Display a valid student identification card;
- Comply with all site-specific dress code and PPE requirements.
Additional attire and safety requirements may be imposed by the supervising faculty member, clinical instructor, or affiliated institution.
Footwear Requirements
Open-toe shoes, sandals, flip-flops, or similar footwear are prohibited during all academic, laboratory, clinical, and University-sponsored activities.
Footwear must be professional, safe, and appropriate for the educational environment.
Student Identification Cards
Students will be issued official XUSOVM identification cards.
Student identification cards must be carried at all times and visibly displayed whenever required by the University, affiliated institutions, or security personnel.
Failure to present a valid student identification card upon request may result in denial of access to University facilities, laboratories, clinical activities, examinations, or other University-sponsored events.
Uniform Hours
The standard uniform policy applies during normal academic hours, generally between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless otherwise directed by the University.
Students attending scheduled educational activities outside these hours must comply with any dress requirements applicable to those activities.
Professional Attire Outside Uniform Hours
After normal academic hours, students may wear casual professional attire while on campus.
All students must continue to maintain standards of professionalism, cleanliness, and appropriate appearance while representing the University.
Security personnel may deny access to University facilities to individuals who cannot provide valid identification or whose attire is deemed inappropriate.
Prohibited Attire
The following are prohibited within University academic facilities unless specifically authorized for religious, cultural, safety, or medical reasons:
- Clothing displaying offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate language or images
- Attire that compromises safety or professionalism
- Excessively revealing clothing
- Hats, caps, bandanas, skull caps, or similar head coverings, except when worn for religious, cultural, medical, or approved institutional purposes
Professional Appearance Standards
Students are expected to maintain a neat, clean, and professional appearance at all times.
The University reserves the right to determine whether attire, grooming, or appearance is inconsistent with professional standards expected of veterinary medical students.
Library Dress Code
During Academic Hours
Students utilizing the library are required to:
- Wear the prescribed University uniform; and
- Carry or display a valid student identification card.
After Academic Hours
Students may utilize the library while wearing casual professional attire but must continue to carry a valid student identification card.
Students are expected to maintain professional standards of appearance while using library facilities.
Non Compliance
Students who fail to comply with this policy may be subject to:
- Counseling;
- Requests to correct attire deficiencies;
- Removal from educational activities;
- Referral to the Office of Student Affairs; and/or
- Other disciplinary actions consistent with University policies.
Requests for Exceptions
Students seeking an accommodation or exception to this policy based on religious beliefs, cultural practices, disability, medical conditions, or other legitimate circumstances should submit a written request to the Dean of Student Affairs or the Chief Academic Officer.
Requests will be reviewed on an individual basis and reasonable accommodations will be considered where appropriate.
Policy Contact
Dean of Student Affairs
Xavier University School of Veterinary Medicine