By EMILY THOMAS
Although BYU and BYU-Idaho are sister schools, their dress codes draw a few differences.
Both codes start out with a general guideline of appearance criteria and are stated similar in general information.
From there the differences begin. BYU finishes with just the general guidelines.
Jon Kau, associate dean of students, said, 'We are not trying to create a rigid set of rules, but guidelines that support students commitment to the Honor Code.'
BYU-Idaho's dress code goes into lengthy details about what is acceptable and what is not for the women and then the men.
Some transfer students coming from this sister school to BYU experience a dress culture shock when more options become available.
'I think it is better here at BYU with the dress code for some things,' said Laura Bradford, a senior, from Bountiful, Utah, majoring in marriage, family and human development. 'I thought some of the rules were silly at BYU-Idaho like not wearing overalls, flip-flops and Capri's.'
Bradford said attending BYU and BYU-Idaho is a privilege, and students who are not willing to fully live by the Honor Code should allow prospective students to come and take their place.
Transfer student Chip Brown, a junior, from Mesa, Ariz., majoring in accounting, said he has enjoyed transferring from BYU-Idaho to BYU.
BYU's dress code is governed by guidelines for students to manage themselves, Brown said. BYU-Idaho is stricter by outlining everything in-depth. Brown said he noticed agency is exercised more at BYU.
'At BYU we teach the principles of modesty with the hope that with a deeper understanding of the principle, the specifics will take care of themselves,' said Jeannie Papic, student honor association coordinator.
Brown said possible reasons behind the differences in the dress code is first, BYU-Idaho is smaller, making it easy to enforce the dress code, and second, BYU is larger making it necessary to go by guidelines.
He said although the dress code is different, it does not matter because Rexburg's is cold and the temptation to wear flip-flops or shorts doesn't exist.
When Brown played football for BYU-Idaho, all players were required to shave before a game or else they could not play.
He said shaving gives a cleaner appearance, but it has been nice transferring to BYU and not worrying about shaving all the time.
Brown said when it comes to the women at both campuses following the dress code, they are about the same in their manner of dress.
'From my observation, students at BYU are more sloppy dressed and the women tend to be more immodest compared to my observation of BYU-Idaho,' Bradford said.
'Because of the stricter dress code at BYU-Idaho, I think students dress more professionally,' she said. 'It is not that students don't care here at BYU about modesty; it just is more liberal compared to BYU-Idaho.'
One problem Bradley mentioned is the role teachers play in the dress code being more relaxed and not addressing the issue at BYU.
'Teachers here, at least in the classes I have attended, do not seem to approach the dress code issue when women are wearing low cut revealing clothing to class or on campus,' she said.
Teachers are supporting and enforcing the Honor Code in their classes, but sometimes are just unaware of how to best approach students, said Kelii Wunden, student honor association president.
'Teachers have the opportunity and ability to enforce the Honor Code, but students do as well,' Wunden said. 'If a student is not abiding by the proper standards and is making students uncomfortable, then the students can talk personally with that student or express concern to our teachers.'