All students of LMU-CDM are required to maintain appropriate attire, personal hygiene, and cleanliness, reflecting a professional demeanor at all times. It is imperative that students exercise sound judgment in selecting their attire for various educational activities. The comfort of patients in the presence of students is paramount; thus, students must avoid any behavior or appearance that may cause discomfort to patients.
Dress Code Enforcement
Students who come to school dressed unprofessionally will be asked to leave, change into appropriate attire, and return. Absence from classes or exams due to inappropriate attire will be considered an unexcused absence. The dress code is enforced when in the Tower. If a school sanctioned event requires different attire (i.e. yoga), students may wear appropriate clothing that is not revealing. The following attire guidelines are to be adhered to by all students while on campus and any LMU CDM associated sites:
- Clean, Wrinkle-Free Scrubs: All students are required to wear clean and wrinkle-free scrubs while on campus. Scrubs should be maintained in a professional manner to uphold the standards of cleanliness and hygiene expected in a healthcare environment.
- Scrub Jacket or White Coat: In addition to scrubs, students must wear a scrub jacket or white coat as part of their attire when needed. This serves to enhance professionalism and distinguish members of the healthcare team within the campus environment.
- Optional T-shirt Under Scrub Top: A short or long-sleeved T-shirt may be worn underneath the scrub top for additional comfort. However, it should be plain and devoid of any logos or graphics that may detract from the professional appearance.
- LMU Logo Attire on Fridays: On Fridays, all individuals are required to wear attire featuring the LMU logo. This serves to promote school spirit and unity among students, faculty, and staff.
- Footwear: Closed-toe shoes, with low heels, clean, well-maintained and free from scuffs or visible wear and tear.
- Campus-Wide Requirement: The above-listed attire shall be worn by all individuals on campus, including during the day, evenings, and weekends. Consistency in attire contributes to the overall professionalism and cohesion of the campus community. This includes all offsite clinic locations.
- Prohibited Attire: Other plain or logo t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, jackets, etc., are strictly prohibited on campus.
- Students must have short fingernails. NO artificial nails.
These attire guidelines are implemented to maintain a professional environment conducive to learning, patient care, and collaboration within the campus community.
When representing LMU-CDM in any type of public forum, such as a conference or certain on- campus events, the dress code is, at the very least, business casual. At some public forums a higher standard is expected. Again, the student must display correct judgment and match the appropriate clothing with the event.
Courses with a laboratory component will require that students dress as directed for these courses. The syllabus for each course will explain in more detail the appropriate attire. Students are required to wear clean, neat, properly fitted scrubs in their classes’ color.
In addition, the use of jewelry and accessories must be minimal and cannot interfere with clinical procedures or patient care. Hair must be neatly styled and secured away from the face and clinical workspaces to maintain hygiene and prevent contamination. Facial hair must be well-groomed and trimmed to comply with infection control guidelines. If wearing a beard or mustache, students must ensure that it is neatly trimmed and maintained.
Inappropriate Attire
The following items are examples of inappropriate dress code during normal school hours. Restrictions ensures a uniform and professional appearance among the LMU-CDM community at all times.:
- Tube tops
- Hooded sweatshirts
- Tank tops
- T-shirts (plain or logo) except on Fridays
- Flip-flops
- Excessive body piercing
- Cutoff shorts
- Jeans with holes
Public Representation
Clinical Services Students on clinical services are required to follow the dress code stated above.