By Allison Fors
Sunny skies and soaring temperatures are fast approaching, as swimsuits will make their way out of their long-forgotten stash of summer apparel.
Once again, landlords watch in order to ensure that BYU Honor Code standards are obeyed and enforced around apartment complex pools and courtyards.
It is the student''s responsibility to abide by BYU swimsuit standards, but if repeated violations are reported, the landlord holds a vital role in enforcing and perhaps making consequences regarding inappropriate swimwear, according to the Off-Campus Housing office.
'We would hope that the students would honor their commitment to live by the standards which they sign to do,' said Garry Briggs, general manager of off-campus housing. 'If they choose not to honor these standards, then the landlords would need to make them aware of it and if they continue--- to let them know of a landlord''s responsibility to take consequences.'
Each off-campus housing complex has available to them free signs to post at their pools and hot tubs illustrating the swimwear standards as laid out by the BYU Honor Code, he said.
Different apartment managers take different approaches to enforcing modesty at their pools. Ryan Waycasy, assistant manager of Crestwood Apartments, said immodest swimwear is a troublesome issue when the weather gets warmer.
'It is a constant problem,' Waycasy said. 'Our previous owner gave out fines; we''re looking into doing something more aggressive now.'
Waycasy mentioned the records of previous residents who were evicted from the pool for inappropriate swimwear. He described the process of making random checks at the pool as well as responding to complaints from other residents as a responsibility of his job. Waycasy also stressed that students who choose to disobey the posted rules should expect a verbal warning and potential referral to the BYU Honor Code Office.
Some students find abiding by the swimwear standards one of the challenges for living in BYU-approved housing.
'It''s hard to find a swimsuit in my size that''s cute,' said Jessica Hiatt, a sophomore from Greensboro, N.C., majoring in accounting. 'I thought by coming to Utah I would find more modest swimsuits, but I was surprised to find so many immodest bathing suits in the stores and on girls.'
This is not a standard that only affects girls. Guys living at these apartments also struggle with those who chose not to abide by the guidelines.
'I was over at the Belmont one time and saw six out of the seven other girls swimming in two-piece bathing suits,' said Dan Safsten, a junior from Bellingham, Wash., majoring in international relations.
Safsten said landlords are justified in enforcing swimwear rules at their pools.
'They have a right to say who lives there, and if they don''t want a skanky-girl reputation they can lay down the law,' Safsten said.
Appropriate swimwear excludes bikinis, swimsuits of sheer material, deep-cuts, and brief swimsuits for men or women. All straps and ties are also to remain fastened or tied. More swimsuit apparel information can be found on the BYU Off-Campus Housing Web site, May 2004 newsletter: www.byu.edu/offcampushousing/.