CLOTHING LIBRARY
Someone! Please Acknowledge some Equity for Students!
University students, victims to our own economy.
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We’re all living in it. The cost-of-living crisis that is, so how are University Students ever meant to get ahead.
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The current financial climate is picking on students and The Griffith Clothing Library is set on a mission to challenge the hardships students may face.
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As being a student is difficult enough without further worries about finances, students often get caught in the trap of living beyond their means just to find their career path.
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Graduation, job interviews, work experience - it all quickly adds up.
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So, you need a new suit? Minimum $600 onwards. Oh, what about a new blouse? Expect $90 and upwards.
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The harsh reality that it doesn’t just end there. As each experience has their own restrictions on dress requirements.
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With not all students coming from equal backgrounds, it was well-overdue that someone stepped in to lend support.
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WHAT DOES STUDENT EQUITY MEAN TO YOU?
ACCESSIBILITY
OPPORTUNITIES
AFFORDABILITY
Teaming up with Griffith University Student Life team for ongoing assistance, the Griffith Clothing Library has embraced the concept of sharing high quality fashion garments amongst students to combat financial barriers.
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Melita Collins, part of the student life team, provides her take on the service.
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“When I was a student a couple of years ago, I had to buy a full suit for an internship that I was doing, and I have never worn that suit again," Ms. Collins said.
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“As a student, that hurt financially, it was a lot to spend, but I needed it to get the job”
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This is a common scenario most students are projected to face. To which, the Griffith Clothing Library hosts over 100 garments fit for these kinds of student-life scenarios.
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Allowing the Griffith Clothing Library to minimise the financial burden student-life may have could just assist in other areas, such as reducing student stress.
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Diving deeper, Griffith Clothing Library volunteer, Ashley Edgar, says that borrowing clothes from the Griffith Clothing Library had done just that.
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Ashley provided insight of her own experience, stating that the whole team of Griffith Clothing Library volunteers had borrowed formal-wear clothes for their trip to Nationals.
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“Instead of having to go find formal wear and go through the stress of finding the perfect thing. Or is worth buying something for just once off?" Ms. Edgar said.
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"It was great to just be like hey ok, I’m going to go into the Clothing Library.”
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Ashley further explains that it was a great opportunity see first-hand what a student would experience when borrowing the clothes.
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“I think it was a great opportunity because I basically cut out the worry about what have I got to wear.”
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Often, university students find that expressing themselves in best done by the clothes that they wear, allowing for their best form of self-expression.
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Financially however, this may cause issues.
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With the range of garments available at the Griffith Clothing Library, these financial barriers can be dismissed.
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Students are able to choose their own clothes, expressing their own style, whilst being presented with equal opportunities as other students.
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As the service is open to all Griffith University students that can attend the Nathan campus, the Griffith Clothing Library is taking a great step in the right direction for providing equity to all students.