LANE ANDERSO
The administration has determined that the privilege to wear shorts to the knee will continue at BYU. However, there will be serious consequences for those who violate the dress and grooming standards, including possible suspension from the university.
Students referred to the Honor Code Council sign a form that reads “I understand that I have been placed on formal warning by the Honor Code Office and that further noncompliance may result in my suspension from the university.” Noncompliance includes any violation of the Honor Code, be it spousal abuse or wearing shorts that are too short.
This is not a new policy, according to Student Life Vice President Alton Wade. “Suspension is always a possibility,” Wade said. No student at BYU has ever been suspended from the university for a shorts violation, but that may change in the future, according to Wade. The message is clear: The Honor Code is to be taken seriously.
Most students know this semester was deemed the “probationary semester” for wearing shorts on campus. What most students didn’t know was the administration conducted a private survey to determine whether shorts would stay.
The survey was conducted across campus over a four-week period during September and early October. Staff members were assigned to monitor a specific area for one hour each week.
A simple drawing of appropriate to-the-knee shorts length was shown on each survey form to ensure consistency in determining compliance. Those involved in the survey made no contact with individuals wearing shorts, nor were any of those in not in compliance referred to the Honor Code Council.
The survey showed that of males observed wearing shorts, 69 percent were in compliance, 18 percent were borderline (one inch above the knee), and 13 percent were in noncompliance.
Females were 31 percent in compliance, 23 percent borderline, and 46 percent in noncompliance.
“Although the results are not ideal, they are a fairly accurate representation of what I see on campus. I was not surprised by the results,” said Honor Code Chair Desmond Eppel of Randburg, South Africa.
The administration also considered a student survey done by the Student Advisory Council last winter. The survey was conducted to find out the general feeling of students concerning the shorts issue. “The overwhelming number of students surveyed wanted to keep shorts, but they also wanted something to be done about those who don’t comply with the to-the-knees policy,” Wade said.
SAC recommended ways to keep shorts on campus without violating dress and grooming standards, such as asking the faculty and students to be more aware of the problem. Both of these elements were used in conjunction with the administration’s survey to make the final decision.
“It is not reasonable for all students to be denied the privilege because some are unwilling to abide by their commitment,” said Associate Dean of Students Nolan Reed.
Reed spoke of the commitment each student makes at the time of enrollment when he or she signs Part B of the admissions application, in which the student agrees to abide by the Honor Code. This agreement is renewed each year in the Ecclesiastical Endorsement interview with bishops.
“The issue is one of honor, integrity and character. Shorts, long hair and beards are not moral issues, but honor and integrity are,” Wade said.
Eppel feels that most students at BYU agree with this statement. “Most students at BYU comply with the Honor Code,” Eppel said. “Rather than withdraw privileges from upstanding students who make up the majority, the administration would rather make the punishment more severe for the few who don’t comply.”
Shorts have been controversial since they were allowed on campus five years ago, Wade said.
