Any student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who sits on the lap of the opposite sex now risks being rusticated for two semesters.
This is part of the product of the institution’s review of dress code and other related code of conduct.
The management of the citadel has also outlawed hugging, kissing, heavy makeup and body inscription on the campus forthwith.
The institution approved the proposal for the review of dress code for students drafted by the Division of Student Affairs(DSA) in May 2023 after it was perused by the Legal Review Committee of the institution.
The review prescribed one semester rustication for sexually provocative dresses, backless clothes, transparent wears, Off-shoulder clothes, bomb shorts, tattered jeans, dread locks, faring for male/cowries for female, micro/mini/skimpy dress, sagging for male/female and hair braiding for male.
Also, one semester rustication was set for nose, mouth, eye, extra rings, unconventional wearing of face cap, tattoo/indelible markings for male, crop/jump tops, multi-coloured braid for female, haircuts with inscriptions, T-shirts with obscene inscriptions depicting immorality, hooliganism, etc., heavy make-ups, rumpled and dirty clothes and Hair plaiting or weaving by male students.
It was noted that any student found guilty of violation of coloured hair styles, hair braiding for male, spangled hair style for male, unwelcome touching, kissing and hugging of opposite sex and massaging or sitting on the lap opposite sex in the university risks rustication for two (2) semesters.
The memo reads “Council received and considered Paper No. 5659, which contained the proposal for the Review of the Dress Code for Students of the University. Council noted that the paper had passed through the due process of review by the appropriate organs of the University.
“After due deliberation, Council APPROVED the reviewed Dress Code for Students of the University as presented.”
But students through its Union leaders in a statement co-signed by the President-elect, Oluwatodimu Adelani, Secretary General, Oke.
Habeeb and PRO, Olowosile Oreoluwa, kicked against the review.
They opposed the consideration of the dress code policy, stressing that they will protect their rights as the sanctions are too harsh and infringe on freedom of expression as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution.
According to them: “OAU campus is a place of learning, and the introduction of sanctions such as rustication for one or two semesters for perceived misconducts stifles and violates students’ fundamental rights to freedom of expression, personal style, and individuality. It also undermines the right to personal liberty as enshrined in Section 35 CFRN, and may infringe on Section 37, which protects the privacy of citizens, including how they choose to present themselves.
“We hereby call on the management to, just like it did in 2023, totally distance itself from these punitive measures that we find archaic and detrimental to the learning process.”
The tasked all students to stand in unity against any measures that seek to undermine their rights.
