By MICHELLE CHAMBERLAI
To transfer institute credits to BYU, students had to choose the letter grade option rather than the pass/fail option when they signed up for classes.
Shelby Gustafson, a student at Utah Valley State College who is hoping to transfer to BYU, said she has always taken institute classes to earn a letter grade instead of taking the classes to get a pass/fail mark.
Gustafson said students who take the pass/fail option are those who either want the spiritual benefit without having it effect their GPA or they want to earn the graduation certificate given to students after completing a certain number of classes, regardless if it was taken for a grade.
'Students usually misunderstand that they need to have an actual letter grade to transfer the classes to BYU. I think many don't understand that and just choose to take the pass/fail mark.'
Jackie Riley, a transcript and registration specialist for the UVSC institute program, said her office tries to explain this to the students and students usually understand their choice.
Riley said she realizes BYU has different requirements than other institutions regarding religion classes. She tries to encourage students to think about the possibility of going to BYU in the future so they will not have to repeat any classes.
Riley said for students to receive a pass rather than a fail, they have one requirement, which is to attend 70 percent of the classes, although beginning this fall, students must reach 75 percent attendance to receive a pass.
Many students may opt to take institute for the spiritual and social aspect rather than taking it for a grade.
Richard Openshaw, a 20-year veteran of the Church Educational System who teaches religion and is the institute music director at the University of Utah, said he feels the students in institute programs other than at Ricks College and within Utah are different because they must actively pursue the program rather than being surrounded by members of the church.
'If you were to go outside of Utah, the institute program would be your social link to the church. Inside of Utah it's easier for LDS young adults to find each other,' he said.
Openshaw said the institute program offers much more than classes -- it gives students the opportunity to work within a highly organized arm of the LDS Church.
Most institute programs, depending upon the number of students enrolled, offer young adults the chance to take part in several service projects, such as Sub for Santa, single parenting events, carnivals, firesides and community reach programs.
Students are also encouraged to take part in committees for the mentioned activities and other social activities, such as dances and temple excursions.
Both Openshaw and Riley agree that the institute program is positive, and regardless if students take a letter grade or a pass/fail, they will get something out of it if they are participating in classes and organized activities