Our team created this report to explore ways to streamline and optimize the Hire attire closet. As part of our research, we met with the community client, explored key topics online and in academic databases, and conducted interviews with other university closet programs. As part of our digital research, we explored:

• How to organize the closet space

• How to sort out donations

• How to keep track of inventory

 

Client Meeting with Hire Attire Coordinator

We met with Samantha Brown on February 25. The client meeting helped us identify the scope of the project and helped us understand what our research should be focused on. We created a list of questions to better understand how the closet is structured, and challenges. Some of the questions included:

• What has the organization done previously to address the challenge?

• What are you currently doing to organize the hire attire closet?

• What are you hoping to learn, or what specific recommendations are you looking for?

• How do you accept donations?

 

Samantha’s responses let us know that there were issues with limited space, Inventory tracking, and donation management which became the main part of our research. She showed interest in receiving recommendations that would fit student’s needs and the university's resources. What we learned from the meeting helped us shape our online research and local survey to align with what we discussed with our client. We narrowed our focus down to three ideas

• Making better use of space

• Improving donation and rejection process

• Tracking inventory 

 

Digital Research

After our meeting we continued research using academic and online databases. These helped us find examples of practices from other colleges and organizations that were similar to our scope and goals.

​

Tools Used: Academic Databases & Open Source Search Tools

ProQuest Central- An academic database that includes thousands of journals,case studies, and professional titles.

 

EBSCO- Scholarly database that offers access to academic resources, scholarly journals, and e-books.

 

Google- To find schools with closets, learn more about donating, and learn how other school’s manage their closets.

 

Search Terms Used:

• “Free clothing” for interviews

• Closet AND “Professional attire” AND inventory

• “Handling donations”

• “Thrift Stores” and donation rejection

• Plato’s Closet “donation process” and “rejection slip”

• Organizing small rooms for retail

• “Professional wardrobe” AND college students

•  How to reject clothing for donation

​

Local Study: Hearing from Other Closets

Our purpose of the local survey was to learn how other college closets organized, strategized, accepted donations, and managed inventory to find data that we were unable to track down in IU databases and online searches. We developed questions that collect data on strategies and techniques used at other universities. The survey finding helped us shape practical recommendations that fit the Hire Attire budget and provide practical options.

 

The Data Collection Tool: 16 Questions on Google Forms

For our survey tool we used Google forms to compile the questionnaire and for us to retrieve quick data. Questions 1-4, 9, 12 are basic review of the operations for the closet and basic data information. Questions 5-8, 10 ask about donation techniques (i.e. donation guidelines, donation techniques). Questions 13-16 are asking about how inventory is tracked. These results gave data from other universities and the techniques they implement into their program.

 

Challenges Collecting Responses from Our Specialized Audience: 25 Calls with 7 Responses

We contacted 25 different universities, via email or phone calls. Most universities did not return our calls, so we had to contact them again by email and phone. We used the phone number and email address presented on their websites, and we would originally call the university and send an email if we had not received contact. There were 7 universities that responded.  Most of the surveys were completed over the phone, and our team would use the questionnaire to interview the client. 

 

We manually added the responses into the questionnaire for each university we talked with. Three universities we emailed the survey to filled out the form and contacted us when they finished. 

 

We analyzed the information we collected through digital research, the client meeting, and the local study to shape practical recommendations for organizing and managing the Hire Attire inventory. The Analysis portion of our report shares key findings related to best practices and creative options for managing intake, inventory, distribution, and connecting with students.