To the Daily Universe Concerning the Honor Code

Since the honor code is a key portion of our lives as students at BYU, I would like to raise the question as to what truly is its purpose. As stated by the official honor code website, the purpose of such a code is to "demonstrate in daily living on and off campus those moral virtues encompassed in the gospel of Jesus Christ". This begs the question, is living the honor code explicitly the only way to follow moral virtues encompassed in the gospel of Jesus Christ?

As a student at BYU and a firm believer in the gospel and the benefits of having such a code, I would like to address some typical concerns with a few of the rules: namely the dress and grooming standards. By having such explicit standards and qualifications, students have a harder time finding originality. In the honor code, beards on men are not allowed, however mustaches are. Does limiting man's god-given ability to grow facial hair necessarily promote spirituality and endorsement of the gospel? While, of course, mustaches and beards aren't for everyone, it does not deem necessary to explicitly ban all types of beards arbitrarily.

Similarly, as stated in the honor code, "Modesty and cleanliness are important values that reflect personal dignity and integrity, through which students, staff and faculty represent the principles and standards of the Church.". If this is the underlying purpose in having dress and grooming standards, who then decides what is categorized as modest and clean? Similarly, is it necessary to categorize all men with long hair or beards as unclean and immodest? Men having hair over the ears, or a small beard can still show cleanliness, modesty and the light of Christ. Who is to say that having clean cut hair slightly over the ears is less modest than having an honor code approved, short length, hairstyle much more attention drawing and extreme? Regardless, the strict rules for grooming and dress don't seem to reflect the overall purpose of the dress and grooming standards in the honor code.

Lastly, the honor code, like any good code of conduct, has changed with time to better represent modern day life. Dress and styles go through phases and as a result become outdated and change. As a result, it shouldn't be too preposterous to reconsider some of the current dress and grooming rules. While twenty years ago it may have been unacceptable to have longer hair, it may be socially acceptable now. Similarly, in the early twentieth century, having a beard showed a sign of maturity and wisdom; that may not come across as explicitly now. This issue is one that will continue to prove important to me as well as many students currently committed to follow this way of life.

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