Dress Code

You will be attending classes and seminars within the professional schools on campus.  Therefore, please follow these guidelines for attire:

Tattoos: All Tattoos should be covered during all professional lectures/meetings/activities and events.

Casual Attire: (Guidelines will be strictly enforced!!)

• You may wear blue jeans, modest-length shorts, sleeveless tops, dresses, skirts, jackets, sweaters – except during Dental School sessions (no jeans or shorts when in the School of Dentistry – see Dental Week Attire below)
• You may not wear mid-drift tops, muscle shirts with gaping armholes, super-short shorts, etc. Note: Should you raise your hands or touch your toes and bare skin shows; you will need to change your clothes.
• Do not wear garments displaying offensive images or words.
• Neither hats nor sunglasses may be worn indoors.
• Closed-toe shoes must be worn in labs.

Attire in the School of Dentistry is strictly Business Casual (all participants, regardless of track, will have activities in Dentistry)

Business Casual:

• Slacks
• Skirts or dresses (knee-length or hitting just at the knee)
• Shirts with a collar
• Blouses
• Blazers/jackets
• No sleeveless shirts or blouses
• No jeans
• No shorts
• No flip flops or open-toe shoes/sandals

See Business Casual Attire suggestions:

For Women
For Men

Also see page 44 at this link.

Professional / Business Attire ONLY – suit or suit jacket with dress shirt, necktie or bowtie; professional length skirt or dress; blazer or jacket; professional styled blouse and professional shoes…you will not be expected to purchase a suit, you will have the opportunity to visit the UAB Student Career and Professional Development office where you borrow (similarly to checking out books in a library) professional clothing. 

Suggestion of items to bring: (Remember, we are in the south. Expect hot and humid temperatures with occasional afternoon rain showers and/or thunderstorms!)

• Rain gear
• Sunscreen
• Sports bottles or cups with tops (It will be very HOT outside; stay hydrated!)
• Lightweight jacket/sweater (Classrooms are often chilly)
• Comfortable and cool attire for excursions and leisure time
• Allergy medicine (if you are prone to seasonal allergies)
• Back pack or bag for class materials, personal electronic devices, etc.
• Notebook, binder or other item(s) to store notes and your schedule

A web conference will be scheduled via Zoom in mid-April 2023 to explain the required documentation and records needed, provide travel requirements and discuss what to expect when you come to UAB for SHPEP 2023.

 Summer casual or snappy casual attire is acceptable. Business casual is also acceptable.  See examples under the Business Casual Attire Suggestions tab. Athletic wear is not acceptable. No need to dress in Business Professional on day one.

July 1st and July 2nd are on the weekend. July 3rd is a workday with classes in the morning. We have reserved the Patio at the Birmingham Baron’s Baseball Park on Monday, July 3rd beginning at 6:00p to enjoy the ballgame together; your dinner meal will be provided. UAB observes as the holiday, Tuesday, July 4th, and we will be closed with no classes. SHPEP resumes, Wednesday, July 5th.

Yes, it is included in the orientation day schedule.

You may ship/mail necessary, important packages to our office: UAB Office for Diversity and Inclusion, Volker Hall Suite 109, 1670 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL  35233.

Business Casual is expected. (You may NOT wear athletic wear; especially that which shows lots of skin)

If you own a pair of scrubs, please bring them; if not, they will NOT be provided; however, you will be given disposable protective cover-ups to wear over your regular clothes where necessary.

A small double-string bag/cinch sack, pen and journal will be provided. However, you may bring your regular backpack as string bags have limited capacity for additional items.

No. However, casual khaki, denim or printed, modest-length shorts may be worn.

A: Please bring your laptop to class EVERY morning. If you do not have one, we will provide a loaner laptop for your use.

You are free to go on weekend outings as long as you are not scheduled for shadowing. You may wear casual, active wear, or other seasonal attire. Remember, you represent the SHPEP program during the 6-weeks you are here in Birmingham.

Yes, there are some required events on weekends, interspersed throughout the six weeks. However, they are not scheduled for every weekend. The weekend dates with required events will be on your final schedule.

Stipends are distributed via Direct Deposit to a checking account. Each student must set-up Direct Deposit via online banking to a checking account. The direct deposit procedure cannot be completed until after the first day of the program. You must have your bank routing information with you. If you need assistance, the Professional Student Mentors can privately discuss and help you set up your direct deposit.

Yes. However, if you do not have health insurance, you should contact your home institution's student health department to request coverage for Summer 2023 or you may visit healthcare.gov to search for health insurance options.  Please check your coverage to ensure you will be insured when out of state.

Blazer Bucks will be your food stipend/spending money to purchase meals that are not provided during official lunch and learns and other meeting events.  Manage your Blazer bucks responsibly!!

Have a look at the tabs on the UAB Blazer Bucks page.

Blazer Bucks do not expire. You may use them to purchase items in the UAB Blazer Bookstore. For example: MCAT prep material, flash cards, UAB merchandise, etc. You may also donate your bucks to a UAB Student or Professional Student Mentor.

While UAB is not a dry campus, consuming alcohol, smoking and the use of illicit drugs on campus are egregiously prohibited while attending SHPEP UAB! Marijuana is illegal in Alabama.

Checkout is Friday, July 14 after the conclusion of our Closing Ceremony Program, which typically concludes by 3:00pm.  Parents may attend closing ceremonies and you may leave with them AFTER the completion of the program; but, you must properly check-out of the dorm before departure.  If you are not comfortable traveling home after the conclusion of the Closing Ceremony, you may otherwise check out Saturday, July 15.

Check-out from UAB Housing will occur similarly as it does at your home institution.  Housing personnel and one of your UAB SHPEP Team Leaders with oversee the check-out process. You will be required to dispose of all perishable and non-perishable food items; remove ALL trash items, and either donate or take with you all personal items.  Failure to adhere to these instructions, could lead to fines charged by UAB Housing and a reduction in your stipend.