Lets Get Serious Here

As you know, I am a student at Hampton University, and any HU student cant tell you, there is a laundry list of things wrong with the policies and administration. Everyone knows about, and usually has first has first hand experience with, the "Hampton Runaround", I've had classes wholly canceled due to deteriorating buildings, and there is a broken window in the Freshman Honors dorm that has been there since my Senior RA freshman year was a freshman. It is not an issue of cost, as it is well known that Hampton is wealthy by contributions from Alumni who value their time spent and the opportunities afford by Hampton University. Well our good ole' "Home By the Sea" is going down the road of removing another one of those check marks from its depreciating list of redeeming qualities.

Before I go in too deep, I just want to preface some of my thoughts. Firstly, these are my thoughts and opinions and I am sure that not everyone is going to agree with me. In fact, one of the reasons i put my opinions on this proverbial soapbox is to see and hear other opinions so that we can discuss them and maybe do something productive about it. Second, its in my personality to question authority and status quo, especially when there is faulty or (better yet) no logic behind it. With that said, here goes.

Another thing Hampton is very (read: overly) protective of is its image. It often portrays that looking the part is more important than the substance inside the suit. I realize that this mindset comes from a time not that long ago (possibly yesterday) when blacks and minorities are discriminated against. It wouldn't shock me to find a business that looks for whatever reason they can to not hire a black employee outside of the required "diversity" standards they may have. I also understand the importance of appearance and dressing properly for certain situations, but the problem comes in on that "certain" part. Last week Hampton had its annual Fall Career Fair. Roughly 150 companies come set up booths and try their darnedest to convince graduating seniors on down that (insert name of company here) is the absolute best place to work and they should apply. The career fair is advertised all over campus with large banners and flyers, teachers give extra credit, and there is virtually NO way one could not know the date time and place of the fair. What is less publicized is that there is a strict and unrelenting dress code in place. By nature, I don't like dressing up all that often. I'd prefer to dress comfortably, however always appropriate. I put on some nice dress pants, a pretty fly (if i must say so myself) shirt, and the most ballin' tie I had in my closet, along with some freshly polished black dress shoes and a modest spray of Lacoste cologne. It was raining cats & dogs yet I get to the fair complete with 15 copies of my resume in a leather bound portfolio, Goldman Sachs branded ink pen, and gallons of swag. I get to the door all ready to go get a job / internship / whatever, only to be turned away. "You will not be allowed in the fair without a full suit with jacket!" With a dejected look on my face, and a scowl on hers, I called up a friend and borrowed a jacket from him. I was allowed in with this newly acquired jacket, and spent the rest of the afternoon talking to people in khakis and company polo shirts.

Last time I checked one of the major benefits or attending an HBCU (besides the "experience") is that the faculty and university as a whole are primarily interested in the success of black students. How is turning away a well dressed highly capable student away from a career fair in anyway beneficial? It would be one thing if I had shown up with a tee, Baus, and Rees (for those unlucky enough to be born outside of New Orleans: A tee shirt with Girbaud jeans and Reeboks), but to be a jacket away from a full suit? Apparently it was only the jacket that was important too. I could have worn a polo with a jacket, or a no tie, as long as I had a jacket. If ANYONE sees the reasoning behind this decision, please leave a comment or something. Its beyond me how turning black students away from companies that have come specifically to see black students is anything other than irresponsible and counterproductive. Don't we have enough going against us as it is? Would not having a jacket had ruined my chances to such an extent where its better for me to just not attend? I'm sure deep down there is a helpful idea behind the rule, but on the surface they are sending the wrong message. Some will argue that the University does want me to attend , they just want me to wear a jacket, and the system worked on me. True, but what about the students who aren't motivated or committed enough to walk home in the rain to get a jacket then walk back? Not to mention those who for one reason or another don't even have that option. Silly rule with good intentions and is completely counter productive in practice.

Discuss