By Jackie Clifton
Substance abuse class: $50. Possession and consumption of liquor fine: $300. Being turned in to Brigham Young University''s Honor Code Office: priceless.
BYU is not the only university with an honor code requiring students to live by certain standards.
Central College in Pella, Iowa, can fine students up to $300 if they are found with any type of substance like alcohol or tobacco.
'For the most part, we have incidences which are mainly reported by the RAs and hall directors,' said Brenda DeNooy, assistant to the dean of students at Central College.
DeNooy said most students do community service and write a research paper about drugs and alcohol on their first offenses. After repeated offenses, students are fined, required to attend a substance abuse class and eventually suspended.
Pioneers settled Pella in the 1800s after leaving the Netherlands because of religious persecution. The college and its code were founded in 1853 with only 37 students. Although the school does not have a religious affiliation now, it still has Christian traditions.
DeNooy said Christian traditions include acceptance of others and helping one''s neighbors.
The college also has guidelines on respectful dialogue, including 'Am I practicing the ''Golden Rule?''' and 'Do I resist temptation to accept and spread rumor and innuendo?'
Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, also has a code, despite its status as a public institution.
Simply stated, 'An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.'
Benjamin Hart, a junior at A&M, said students at A&M have more school spirit and follow the code because they want to, while Cougars follow the code because it''s the rules.
'It seems like they feel that the students are still children and should still be treated like them,' Hart said about BYU and the Honor Code.
The A&M code only asks for honesty and integrity, 'characteristics that Aggies have always exemplified.'
Harvard University''s code requires students to report illegal activity, like hazing, to the school. Not reporting such activity is against the rules.
BYU also requires students to report activity that goes against the Honor Code. The Honor Code is implemented to ensure the atmosphere at BYU is in line with the standards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Although BYU''s Honor Code does not require students to pay fines for misconduct, it does require them to be endorsed by an ecclesiastical leader every fall and winter semester.
Endorsements must be turned in to the Honor Code Office by March 15 for a student to register for the next semester.