Controversy Over Unnecessary Rule Demanding Neat Appearance for Online Classes

A university student attending class through an online lecture. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Jang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] As universities nationwide have simultaneously implemented online lectures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), controversy is arising over some universities creating unnecessary online regulations that infringe on students' rights.

Recently, the student council of a university in Gyeonggi Province issued a "Disaster Situation Declaration," claiming that "guidelines containing provisions such as 'maintain a neat appearance and attire and do not wear hats during some classes,' 'maintain the same camera angle as the professor and always keep the face visible,' and 'agree to record online lecture content including students' faces' were distributed, and students were required to sign pledges."

They stated, "This goes against the university headquarters' guidelines recommending restraint in camera use during online lectures to protect students' portrait rights and privacy," adding, "It is natural that educators should not show behavior that infringes on students' human rights. The university headquarters has the responsibility to strongly manage and supervise such actions by some departments and professors and must ensure that situations exposing students to risk do not occur again."

In fact, even offline lecture regulations requiring "neat appearance and attire during class participation" are outdated school rules. During the military dictatorship era, rules such as "students with untidy attire will be disciplined" were created to suppress university students, but most schools have since deleted such provisions following criticism that they are relics of a bygone era.

However, students point out that most lecture operation methods within universities are left to professors' discretion, meaning invisible school rules exist. Even if the university headquarters deletes outdated school rules, professors can arbitrarily create their own lecture operation regulations.

In fact, Shin, a student attending a university in Seoul, explained, "I understand that school rules excessively restricting students' privacy have been deleted at the university level, but each professor has their own rules they require from students," adding, "Some professors do not recognize attendance for students wearing hats or slippers during class, and some have even threatened to penalize students with dyed hair," explaining that outdated regulations still invisibly exist.

In fact, the hierarchical culture within universities, which can be seen as abuse of power, is not a recent issue. Controversies over hair and attire restrictions imposed by not only professors but also senior students occur every semester.

Last year, a civic group for a society without academic elitism received reports on academic and departmental operations infringing on university students' rights and submitted a petition to the National Human Rights Commission. At that time, the civic group pointed out, "The university is neglecting a wrong university culture under the name of efficient departmental operation and fairness," and stated, "The Ministry of Education should take seriously the reality that unreasonable orders from the military dictatorship era are being taught in schools."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.