With the diversity of backgrounds represented in the Dallas Theological Seminary community, the question of appropriate dress is occasionally raised. We commit ourselves to build and live in community that encourages responsible care and stewardship of the human body and soul while personally reflecting Christian modesty, maturity, discretion, and respect. Students are expected to maintain neat and proper attire.
Shorts are not appropriate during the fall or spring semester in the classroom or administrative buildings. Overly casual attire (such as gym shorts, workout clothing, flip flops, baseball caps, etc.) or clothing in disrepair (such as ripped jeans) is not appropriate in the classroom or administrative buildings. Shoes must be worn at all times in the classroom or administrative buildings. Apparel displaying vulgarity or vulgar graphics is considered inappropriate.
Exception for uniform work shorts is granted for Facilities and Plant Operations (FPO) employees while working on campus. All FPO guidelines must be followed. Appropriate dress shorts (not gym shorts, cut offs, or workout clothing) may be worn during summer school classes and summer school chapel at the discretion of the professor and based on the appropriateness of the situation.
Students are encouraged to consider the following principles as we together live in Christian community:
- Modesty— Believers should not draw undue attention to themselves. Both men and women are encouraged to be conscientious.
- Maturity— DTS is a professional graduate school and preparation for ministry is a high calling. The community in which we are studying should reflect a spirit of personal and community discipline.
- Discretion— A person’s function or the occasion is an important part of the appropriateness of dress/appearance (appropriate dress for the appropriate occasion).
- Respect— How a person appears in another person’s presence may indicate his/her respect for that person or the purpose for which he/she is relating to that person.
We relate and interact as members of a community. In community, we are called to be considerate of others, even putting another’s interests above our own, or foregoing a personal liberty for the sake of another (Philippians 2:4; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
