TWO academic units modified their Type B uniforms, worn after Ash Wednesday, in response to students’ requests for more comfortable wear during the hot season.
The College of Science switched to a cotton twill fabric for its Type B cargo pants, the College of Science Student Council (CSSC) announced.
The cargo pants have the same overall appearance as the previous pants: two pockets on the waist, two on the thigh, and two on the back, with the academic unit’s embroidered logo on the right.
Andrei Isidro, speaker of the council’s board of majors, said the shift was prompted by factors raised by students in a survey: the fragile material and weak stitching of the cargo pants, poor breathability, and the “swishing” noise it produces when walking.
The decision received initial support from the student body, despite no resolution having been released yet.
The cargo pants cost P1,260 per medium-sized unit and became available for purchase starting March 24.
Students will not be required to purchase the new cargo pants, but the previous fabric type will no longer be sold by the college’s uniform supplier, Beethoven.
Incoming first-year students will be required to use the cotton twill cargo pants.
Engineering shifts to cargo pants
The Faculty of Engineering has redesigned its Type B uniform, opting for cargo pants instead of black shorts for freshmen starting this academic year.
The new black cargo pants, made from Swiss cotton, are garterized, drawstringed, and feature the Engineering logo on the front left.
Engineering Dean Angelo Dela Cruz said the change to the Type B uniform was done to reduce uniform policy violations, citing varied interpretations on the length of the shorts to be followed.
Dela Cruz said the transition to cargo pants was made to ensure students’ safety when exposed to chemicals and machines as part of their specialized courses.
“Ang needs for the Engineering [students ay] medyo special, parang kailangan ‘yong protection sa chemicals, protection sa mga machines, ‘yong mga pwedeng exposed,” he told the Varsitarian.
Yumiko Paderes, president of the Faculty of Engineering student council, said some students were initially concerned about the fabric type, price, and mobility while wearing the pants.
“During the uniform selling, they mentioned that the cargo pants are fine, but the material tends to be quite rough in texture,” she said.
Despite the concerns, Paredes said the cargo pants allowed for greater comfort and were more practical, especially for students in specialized courses.
“The advantage of wearing it is greater comfort in some classes, especially laboratory subjects, since students don’t have to change into the Type A uniform to perform their laboratory exercises,” Paredes told the Varsitarian.
The cargo pants range from P730 to P790 and are available in sizes from small to 4XL.
Purchasing the new cargo pants is optional for sophomore, junior, and senior students, as they may still use the black shorts that form part of the faculty’s previous type B uniform.
The faculty’s uniform top for the hot season, a white polo shirt with the Engineering logo, remains unchanged.
The University implemented the Type B or summer uniform in 2015 when classes were held during the hot months of the country’s dry season, following the shift in the academic calendar to August to May from June to March. With reports from Carlo Jose H. Ruga
