By Linn Rosaker
With summer just around the corner, students feel an urge to get away and go camping. However, the Honor Code Office sets strict guidelines.
Steven M. Baker, the director of the BYU Honor Code Office said that the University strongly discourages any mixed gender overnight camping except when authorized as a ward activity approved by the bishop and stake president, or if it is a requirement for an academic course.
'Otherwise it''s really unauthorized and not suggested and could be a violation of the Honor Code,' he said.
If it is approved as a ward activity, appropriate leadership as well as sleeping arrangements must be made according to the church guidelines, Baker said.
The Honor Code is as old as the University. Although modifications have been added throughout the last hundred years, it still focuses on what Karl G. Maeser told his first BYU class on April 24, 1876.
'I trust you all. I give you my confidence. I hope you will do nothing to weaken that confidence. I put you all on your word of honor,' Maeser said.
Students need to use good judgment on what they are doing, knowing the basic guidelines, Baker said.
'It''s on their honor, but I have really great confidence in the students,' he said.
Lyndi Williams, 19, an international studies major from Salt Lake City, said she grew up camping.
When summer hits, it is just natural for her go camping with her family or in large groups.
As for the exact or specific rules, Williams said that she is not sure what the requirements from the Honor Code Office are.
The Honor Code Office is currently working on upgrading its Web page with even clearer guidelines as to what students are supposed to do, Baker said.
'We go by the guidelines of the church and the university,' he said. 'The principles are clear enough to where most of the students can make a decision.'
Baker also said that one important thing to remember is that the Honor Code applies for all continuing students, no matter if you are attending classes or are at home for the summer.