In an effort to cultivate a professional, orderly academic culture that reflects values of respect and courtesy, the Directorate of First-Year Preparation Program (Ditsama), under the coordination of the Office of the Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs at ITB, has initiated an educational campaign on campus dress code etiquette and appropriate manners for contacting lecturers through short messages (SMS, WhatsApp, or social media).

This campaign aims to reemphasize the importance of basic ethics in campus life—both in terms of dress and interaction with faculty—which serve as a foundation for character development among students as part of the academic community.

Dress Code Ethics: A Reflection of Respect and Responsibility

In campaign posters distributed across various faculties and schools, students are encouraged to dress neatly, modestly, and in accordance with their gender identity. Appropriate attire is considered a reflection of respect for oneself and for the surrounding environment. The campaign emphasizes that transparent, tight, torn clothing or outfits that reveal sensitive body parts are not permitted. This also applies to sleeveless shirts, visible tattoos, or facial piercings among students.

The campaign targets all students, providing tailored guidelines for male students, non-hijabi female students, and hijabi female students—without compromising the principles of equality and comfort in the academic environment.

Communication Etiquette with Lecturers: Polite, Clear, and Respectful

In addition to dress code concerns, Ditsama also stresses the importance of proper etiquette when communicating with lecturers through messaging platforms. The second poster distributed in this campaign guides students to:

• Send messages at appropriate times,

• Begin with a proper greeting,

• Clearly state their name and student ID (NIM),

• Use formal language, such as “I” and “Sir/Madam Lecturer”,

• Convey their purpose briefly and politely,

• Avoid sounding demanding or condescending, and

• End the message with a thank-you.

This initiative responds to findings that many new students are not yet familiar with proper academic communication practices, especially in digital contexts.

ITB’s Commitment to Student Character Development

The Director of the Directorate of First-Year Preparation Program, Prof. Dr. Fatimah Arofiati Noor, S.Si., M.Si., explained that this campaign is part of ITB’s ongoing efforts to develop students’ character—not only to excel academically, but also to grow ethically and socially.

“Ethics are not just about rules; they reflect respect, responsibility, and the maturity of students as members of the campus community,”
Prof. Fatimah stated.

Ditsama hopes this campaign will continue to be promoted by the entire academic community, including within faculties and schools, and become a collectively nurtured culture within campus life.

Source : Ditsama ITB