Following a five-month review, Brigham Young University has reaffirmed its basic honor code and dress and grooming standards and will involve students in administering them.
The university's Board of Trustees approved the 300-word document, which was announced to the university community March 13 by the BYU Student Advisory Council and a 16-member ad hoc honor code review committee."The one-page document is about one-third the length of the former code and standards but is essentially the same in terms of desired goals," said R. J. Snow, chairman of the ad hoc committee.
"One difference is that the Code of Honor and the Dress and Grooming Standards are separate and distinct, but both are essentially a reaffirmation of what we have had in the past, based on principles of honesty, cleanliness, modesty and Christian living, and on guidance from the Board of Trustees," he said.
Brett Blake, BYU student body president, said suggestions from students, faculty and staff were incorporated into the document to make it more brief, with less emphasis on specific rules and more on principles. It also includes students in its administration.
The Code of Honor and the Dress and Grooming Standards as they apply to faculty, staff and administrators will be handled by directors, deans and vice presidents in the university's administrative structure, Snow said.
The code and standards are based on the Thirteenth Article of Faith, which states: "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men. . . . If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy we seek after these things."
The code and standards, as approved by the Board of Trustees on March 6, 1991, follow:
Brigham Young University Code of Honor
"Brigham Young University exists to provide a university education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That atmosphere can be preserved through commitment to conduct that reflects those ideals and principles.
"As a matter of personal commitment, students, staff and faculty of Brigham Young University seek to demonstrate in daily living those moral virtues encompassed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and will: Be honest, live a chaste and virtuous life, obey the law, use clean language, respect others, abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and drug abuse."
Dress and Grooming Standards
"The dress and grooming of both men and women should always be modest, neat and clean, consistent with the dignity of representing Brigham Young University and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Modesty and cleanliness are important values that reflect personal dignity and integrity, through which students, staff and faculty of BYU represent the principles and standards of the Church. These members of the BYU community commit themselves to observe the following standards, which reflect the direction of the BYU Board of Trustees and the Church publication `For the Strength of Youth.'
"Clothing should be modest in fabric, fit and style, and appropriate for the occasion. Skirts and shorts should be knee length or lower. Clothing which is sleeveless, strapless, or revealing is not acceptable. Shoes should be worn in public campus areas.
"A clean and well-cared for appearance should be maintained. Hair styles should be clean and neat, avoiding extreme styles. Mens' hair should be trimmed above the collar, leaving the ears uncovered. If worn, mustaches should be neatly trimmed. Earrings for men are unacceptable, and beards are not acceptable, except for certified medical reasons."
