Allow Beards at BYU (Email Rough Draft)

Dear President of the Honor Code Office,

I would like to call into question BYU’s current policy concerning facial hair. As it stands, beards are not allowed, however male students may grow a moustache if they wish. I find these two policies contradicting.

I am confused as to the difference between a beard and a moustache. Both are forms of facial hair. If the purpose of banning the beard is for a clean-shaven male populous, allowing the moustache is contradictory. I believe that either all facial hair should be banned or beards should be allowed.

Now, I do not suggest that there be no rules about facial hair. Just as men’s haircuts are given specific guidelines, so should the beard. In fact, the current rules for growing a beard if obtaining a beard card would work well. Full, well-kept beards can be just as wholesome as a clean-shaven face.

The Honor Code has been updated and expanded to keep up with the growing times. I believe that it is now time to allow men at BYU to grow beards. There is nothing morally wrong with it, and the Honor Code Office has issued no explanation for its prohibition.

Thank you for your time,
Jessica Swenson