The capacity of students and faculty as individuals and the College as an institution to compete successfully for professional and economic recognition is determined largely by public perception of our competence, self confidence, professional pride, and caring attitude. These important perceptions are based frequently upon superficial first impressions of appearance and communication skills.

The College, the Profession, and each of us mold our futures with every personal contact. It is important that each of us act, speak, write, dress and look like we know what we are doing; perform as if we are concerned that we do it well; and communicate concern for the feelings of people and their animals.

The most effective response to present and future economic challenges is personal and institutional Public Relations through Individual Dedication to Excellence (PRIDE). Because appearances are vital, I appeal to your personal and professional PRIDE by urging your voluntary compliance with the attached student and faculty guidelines for professional pride.

Joe Kornegay, DVM, PhD
Dean

Preclinical (Instructional Period 1-11) Veterinary Medical Student Dress
While in the College, students should be tidy and clean, maintain a personal appearance suitable to represent the profession to the public, and demonstrate polite concern for the needs of others. Clean pants, slacks, dresses or blouses, and dress shirts with ties are desirable. Sport shirts without ties are sometimes appropriate. Lab coats and other clothing items are to be laundered frequently to give a clean presentable professional appearance. Comfortable professional appearing shoes are recommended.

Unacceptable Dress: Bare feet, T-shirts that are not MU or Vet School related, shirts baring the midriff, and tank tops that bare shoulders are unacceptable. Shorts are permitted that end below mid-thigh. Shorts or skirts that end above mid-thigh while standing are unacceptable. Wearing of hats or caps in classrooms is unacceptable without a verified medical excuse. Any apparel that is excessively dirty, torn, odoriferous, or otherwise in distracting disrepair to the average person is unacceptable. Students who repeatedly violate the Dress Code will be considered an unnecessary distraction to the educational mission of the college and shall be prohibited from attending classes until the student is compliant with the college Dress Code.