Summer 2016 has been filled with noteworthy news both on and off campus including: BYU’s Title IX investigation, the popular launch of Pokémon Go and the Big 12 expansion.
BYU requesting feedback on sexual assault issue
BYU is inviting feedback on sexual assault response and Title IX compliance as part of a study announced in April by university President Kevin J Worthen.
On Thursday, May 19, BYU announced the creation of feedback2016.byu.edu, a website where people can anonymously leave suggestions for improvements in the way the university investigates sexual assaults. BYU also announced an advisory council Worthen assembled to review the relationship between the campus’ federally mandated Title IX office and its Honor Code office.
The U.S. Department of Education announced Aug. 4 that its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has officially opened a Title IX violation investigation at BYU. The investigation started on the grounds of a complaint filed April 18.
BYU students react to sister missionary clothing policy change
A new guideline encouraging LDS sister missionaries to wear pants while proselytizing to prevent mosquito-borne diseases has received a wide range of reactions since being announced on Friday, May 20.
Many BYU students were surprised to learn about the change and baffled that the long-established sister missionary image had been broken with the approval of dress pants.
BYU students pick up Shia LaBeouf on road trip across the country
Two days and nearly 1,000 miles after leaving Provo, BYU students Hank Hansen and Scott Daly found themselves on a road trip with Shia LaBeouf in Omaha, Nebraska.
Daly, a junior studying advertising, learned of LaBeouf’s latest performance art project,#TAKEMEANYWHERE, on Wednesday, May 25. The project consists of LaBeouf and fellow collaborators Nastja Säde Rönkkö and Luke Turner periodically tweeting out their coordinates and then hitching a ride with whoever reaches the group first — to anywhere that person wants. The month-long road trip throughout the U.S. began on May 23 and ended on June 23.
BYU joins the Brexit conversation
Since the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union on June 23, many questions have emerged about the impact that this British exit, commonly known as Brexit, could have on the global community.
Several experts in politics, economics and psychology have been called in to give some clarification to these tough questions, including some BYU faculty and alumni.
Carillon Tower updates good for 40 years
The iconic BYU Centennial Carillon Tower has undergone some needed maintenance and repairs over the past few months. Repair crews began working on the bell tower at the end of April up until it was re-opened to the public in June.
The phenomenon of Pokémon Go and its massive popularity among BYU students could only be described as sensational.
Players can be seen roaming all over campus and around Provo to catch, evolve or battle their Pokémon. One student claims it has doubled, or even tripled, his activity levels.
LGBTQ advocacy group urges Big 12 to pass on adding BYU
An LGBTQ advocacy group has sent a letter to the commissioner of the Big 12 urging the conference to remove BYU from consideration for membership because it says the school has discriminatory policies.
The Big 12 announced during a media conference call on July 19 that commissioner Bob Bowlsby would begin vetting and contacting candidates for potential conference expansion.
Utah Lake experiencing its largest ever algal bloom
Utah Lake, once a popular destination for boating, fishing and water sports, is partly off-limits due to the largest algal bloom ever recorded in the area. The algal bloom has attracted high levels of toxin-producing bacteria. While boating activities are still allowed in the lake, swimmers are not in areas under “warning” advisory.
‘Purpose’ boosts BYU’s Money Magazine ranking
BYU made a significant leap in this year’s ranking of Best Colleges in America by Time’s MONEY Magazine, climbing from No. 15 in 2015 to No. 5 in 2016. This jump has been largely attributed to the addition of a new survey question that asks university graduates whether they believe their jobs make the world a better place.
Zika virus takes a bite out of Olympics participation
Dozens of athletes, present and former, opted out of attending this year’s Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro for fear of contracting the Zika virus. Brazil has reported more Zika outbreaks than any other country.
On Feb. 1, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika a public health emergency. Since July 13, 65 countries and territories have reported evidence of mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission since 2007.
Utah governor Gary Herbert says he’s voting for Donald Trump
Gov. Gary Herbert says he’s voting for Donald Trump and he thinks the Republican presidential nominee’s choice of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as a running mate brings stability to the campaign.
Local baker “takes the cake” on Food Network
Pete Tidwell, owner of The Mighty Baker in Provo, and his assistant, Catrina Jones, won Food Network’s “Cake Wars” on Monday, August 1. Tidwell’s cake creation won first place in the “Halo” video-game inspired contest, earning him a trip to the Halo World Championships in Los Angeles and a $10,000 prize.
Tidwell graduated from BYU with a degree in advertising. His bakery creates custom cakes for weddings and other events, as well as gourmet desserts in their Provo storefront.
Judge in Texas temporarily blocks Obama’s transgender rules
A federal judge in Texas has blocked the Obama administration’s order that requires public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity.
Utah is one of 11 states, including Texas, that previously filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration for this transgender discrimination policy, outlined in its “Dear Colleague” letter dated May 13.
