By Mary Crozier
While the weather gets warmer, BYU students keep their shorts long and sleeves sprouting over their shoulders. Many want to abide by the honor code, and for some students, the intrinsic value of modesty over-rides the temptation to be just a little bit cooler.
'I think it''s harder going to BYU, because it''s nice to not be hot when you''re walking to classes and to be comfortable, but at the same time you''re trying to keep your standards and you''re trying to be modest,' said Rhandi Coyle, 19, a junior, from Susanville, Calif., majoring in health science.
The BYU dressing and grooming portion of the honor code says students should maintain a clean and well cared for appearance. It rules that students should not wear sleeveless, revealing or form fitting clothing. Shorts and skirts must be knee length or longer.
Amanda Howard, 21, a junior, from Las Vegas, majoring in nursing, said although she has given up on wearing shorts altogether, she does not wish she could wear shorts a little bit higher or shirts without sleeves.
'They''re just not modest when you think about it,' Howard said.
Coyle said BYU''s dressing standard took some time for her to adjust.
'I know it was hard for me especially my freshman year, because I moved here from California where even with the members it''s not that big of a deal to wear a sleeveless shirt or shorts that are above the knee,' Coyle said. 'But after being here for a few years it''s easier to be like ''well no I don''t wish I could wear that, because I shouldn''t wear that.'' '
Kisha Cardon, 23, a senior, majoring in math education, from Bothell, Wash., said serving a mission and going through the temple helped her want to be modest.
'I think it''s so important to keep the covenants we''ve made ,' Cardon said. 'If you really understand what they mean, then you''ll really want to keep them, because you know they''re for your good.'
Cardon said teachers should be key enforcers for BYU''s dressing standards.
'If faculty sees someone not obeying the honor code, they should let students know that it is serious,' Cardon said.
Howard agreed with Cardon.
'Sometimes it''s frustrating when you see teachers that let it go by and that don''t really ask them to leave,' Howard said. 'But I know they''re really good at following it at the library and testing center.'
Howard said it is important for students to be patient in helping those who don''t follow the dressing standards perfectly.
'I think if people aren''t dressed completely modestly, we should give them the benefit of the doubt that they''re going to be better,' Howard said. 'I don''t think we should stick up our noses at people who dress immodestly. I think that it''s just something they need help with and not necessarily for us to sit there and be obnoxiously rude about it.'