Tuskegee University, the private Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Tuskegee, AL, has announced new expectations for student attire, classroom attendance, and cell phone use.
According to HBCU GameDay, university President Dr. Mark A. Brown described the updated policies as part of the university’s “Renaissance Era of transformation and renewal” while noting Tuskegee is expecting its largest incoming freshman class in 32 years this fall.
Brown’s announcement, sent to parents of incoming students, comes as HBCUs experience renewed interest. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, more Black students are choosing historically Black institutions amid shifting diversity, equity, and inclusion policies across higher education.
Under the updated dress code, students should arrive on campus prepared for professional settings, including bringing a business suit and appropriate shoes for business meetings, HBCU GameDay notes. Students also may not wear bedroom shoes, bonnets, do-rags, or revealing clothing in classrooms, dining facilities, or official university events.
The university is also banning students from using cell phones during class unless instructed otherwise by a professor. Students are expected to keep devices turned off to avoid disrupting instruction.
Brown also emphasized that students are required to attend class, calling attendance “the heart of all academic success” and noting that the university will track attendance.
“The goal here is not meant to restrict students from enjoying the Tuskegee Experience, but to prepare them with a solid foundation for the workforce they will enter once they leave Tuskegee,” Brown wrote.
Tuskegee Raises The Bar For Student Success
The university also requires students to visit its Career Center, complete internships, earn professional certifications, and develop résumés, recommending they not wait until their senior year, per Brown’s note.
Students who enroll at Tuskegee are expected to follow all university policies, and faculty members will be authorized to address students who do not comply with the new guidelines.
Brown was appointed Tuskegee’s 10th president and CEO on July 1, 2024, becoming the first alumnus in the school’s nearly 143-year history to serve in the role, per the university’s website. His administration has positioned the new expectations as part of a broader effort to prepare students for lifelong success.
“Employers are less forgiving, and too often presentation may overrule stellar preparation,” Brown wrote. “Tuskegee University continues to prepare the best and brightest for a lifetime of success. With these changes, we want to ensure every student is as prepared as they can be. I look forward to seeing you in August.”
