NIE sheds its inhibitionAllows Students To Dress In Casuals

MYSORE: The new story doing rounds in the campus of the National Institute of Engineering (NIE) is that its students are all elated. Reason: They no longer have to wear uniforms to college like they did as school kids.
The NIE, one of the few professional colleges in city that made wearing uniforms compulsory for its students, has scrapped the rule, much to the delight of the youngsters.
So, why this sudden change in rule? "We noticed the rule was affecting the admission processes," said college principal M S Shivakumar. Interacting with The Times of India, the principal said, "In 2005, NIE introduced uniforms for its students with the idea that it will give them as well as the institute an identity. However, never did we realize that the rule will affect the institute itself someday."
"Recently, we found out that our students were unhappy with wearing uniforms to college for they felt it was boring to continue wearing them even as students of graduation, after having worn them for years in school. Also, some of the brightest students refused to take admission at NIE as the idea of wearing a uniform turned them off," Shivakumar said.
Even companies expressed displeasure over NIE students coming for interviews in uniforms.
But again, one cannot go to college wearing whatever he likes to. There is a dress code. While girls are free to wear salwar kameez, jeans, kurtis, formal shirts and trousers, they are restrained from being dressed in shorts, sleeveless garments, tee shirts, skirts and low waist jeans. The same rule applies to boys as well. Said student Sindhu B R, "We are happy with the new development. It now feels good that we are free to be dressed the way we wish to, though it comes with a few simple rules," says an elated Sindhu B R, a student.
However, there are few who are not too happy with the rule change. "Wearing uniforms was a much better option. It gave us a sense of equality. Now, every day we have to think of what clothes to wear," says Rakshita T S.