By KRISTE GUSTAFSON
The Honor Code Council is conducting a contest to search for a new name that will clear students’ confusion about its function.
“The biggest reason to change the name is that the Honor Code Council doesn’t reflect what it actually does,” said David Johnson, a junior from Hillsboro, Ore., majoring in economics and executive secretary of the Honor Code Council. “The word `council’ implies disciplinary action, and that’s not us.”
“We’re a fun, productive, caring organization to help the students establish honor in their lives,” said Jeannie Papic, coordinator for the Honor Code Council.
General feelings of negativity and fear surround the council, Johnson said. “It’s viewed as a punitive institution, so we’re hoping that the new name will be one that reflects what we do,” he said.
Indeed, many students are confused about the purpose of the council.
“It’s a bunch of students that enforce the standards, from what I have heard,” said Neil Whitaker, a junior from South Jordan majoring in computer science. “If that’s not what they do, then they need to advertise the other things and be more active.”
All disciplinary action goes through the Honor Code Office, not the council, Papic said. Personnel in that office are trained professionals. Student volunteers never discipline the students, she said.
As of the last few months, the council is separate from the Honor Code Office. “The Honor Code Council is not reporting to them, but is cooperating with the office, said Desmond Eppel, a junior from Randburg, South Africa, majoring in comparative literature and chairman of the Honor Code Council.
Student members of the council only meet with a student after he or she is referred to them by the Honor Code Office. The purpose of the council is to help the students understand the Honor Code, said Papic.
The Honor Code Council is to keep the student body in the parameters of the church standards, but I don’t see what changing their name is going to do for them, said Justin Lamb, a senior from Mesa, Ariz., majoring in zoology.
“I really don’t understand what they do,” said Brian Phillips, a sophomore from Parma, Idaho, majoring in Chinese and political science. “I think for people with some notion of what they do a name change might make a difference, but it’s not going to matter to me.”
Eppel said they are trying to remind students to take the honor code seriously. “I think that they know intuitively that there’s more to BYU than academics,” he said.
According to a press release, the council does this by conducting firesides, workshops and meeting with the students.
“I think that a new name will give them a chance to start over,” Whitaker said.
“In general, I think the majority of students love the honor code, but they have a difficult time with intrusion and being overbearing. This seems to be the reputation of the council,” Johnson said.
“I’ve personally never had any problems,” said Devon Allison, a freshman from Eagle River, Alaska, majoring in music education.
Although Allison said she has nothing against the honor code council, she cited examples of people making fun of the council.
“The way I see it, it’s the council that makes sure that students keep the honor code,” Allison said.
“What I assume they are is the people who set the standards,” said JeniRuth Nix, a sophomore from Virginia majoring in early childhood education.
“I really don’t understand what they do, but I don’t have a problem with them. I guess it just depends on the way people look at it,” Nix said.
In addition to the contest for a new name, the council plans to be more visible on campus in an effort to change their image, Papic said.
Students can enter submissions for a new name at a booth on the south side of the Harold B. Lee Library or bring them to the Honor Code Council office in 366 SWKT. Winners will receive prizes such as free airline tickets, a CD boombox, a BYU athletics jacket and a gift certificate from the BYU Bookstore.
The contest will run through March 21. The winning entry will be selected by President Bateman and announced April 8.
