There are many things necessary for a successful interview. There’s a good resume, the ability to answer the questions and evident drive from the applicant, but one worry the Student Government Association aims to take away from this list is business attire.

The SGA launched the “Suiting your needs” campaign that will give students the opportunity to go to the dean of students office if they are in need of business attire and need to try on suits. The student then will be able to select the one that fits him or her best.

“The idea of starting a business attire program at UA stemmed from SGA’s eagerness to truly reach out to students and help those in need have all the advantages that other students might have,” said Stephen Swinson, vice president of student affairs.

The dean of students office informed the SGA about the need some students have for business attire, Swinson said.

“In my capacity at the University, I interact with many different students who have different needs,” said Lowell Davis, assistant dean of students. “When the SGA talked about a service project that would assist students in this manner, I was immediately excited.”

Swinson said the SGA is currently in the process of getting the word out there about the program.

“I am confident that after working with several UA departments on this initiative, we will successfully have a steady supply of business apparel for our students,” he said.

The creation of this program took a few months with the collaborative efforts of the SGA and dean of students office. In an honors college course, students had a similar idea as a class project as well.

“The SGA looks forward to working with these students in an effort to ensure the program gets off and running quickly so we can start ‘suiting’ our fellow students’ needs,” Swinson said.

The SGA encourages all students, faculty, staff, administrators and members of the Tuscaloosa community to donate male and female business apparel. Those who donate professional attire will receive a tax deduction. The drop-off for the attire is in Room 231 in the Ferguson center.

Those who want to make financial contributions should make checks out to UA and drop them off in the dean of students office in the Ferguson Center.

“UA can now ensure that our students will have everything they need in order to interview for a job with a Fortune 500 company or attend a university function where business attire is required,” Davis said. “What better way can we touch the lives of our students?”

If You Donate…

Donate suits and clothing in Ferguson Center Room 231

Donate money at the Dean of Students Office in the Ferguson Center.

All donations are tax deductible.