About BYU-I & Rexburg

Brigham Young University-Idaho was founded and is supported and guided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its mission is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities. The university does this by:

1. Building testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and encouraging living its principles.
2. Providing a quality education for students of diverse interests and abilities.
3. Preparing students for lifelong learning, for employment, and for their roles as citizens and parents.
4. Maintaining a wholesome academic, cultural, social, and spiritual environment.

The Church Educational System (CES) is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church) and directed by the Church Board of Education/Boards of Trustees, with the mission to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities.

The CES Honor Code helps to accomplish the CES mission to build disciples of Jesus Christ. As faculty, administration, staff, and students voluntarily commit to conduct their lives in accordance with the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, they strive to maintain the highest standards in their personal conduct regarding honor, integrity, morality, and consideration of others. By accepting appointment, continuing in employment, being admitted, or continuing enrollment, each member of the campus communities personally commits to observe the CES Honor Code approved by the Board of Trustees:

• Maintain an Ecclesiastical Endorsement, including striving to deepen faith and maintain gospel standards
• Be honest
• Live a chaste and virtuous life, including abstaining from sexual relations outside marriage between a man and a woman. Living a chaste and virtuous life also includes abstaining from same-sex romantic behavior
• Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, vaping, marijuana, and other substance abuse
• Participate regularly in Church services
• Respect others, including the avoidance of profane and vulgar language
• Obey the law and follow campus policies, including the CES Dress and Grooming standards
• Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code and Dress and Grooming standards

CES Dress and Grooming Principles and Expectations

CES Dress and Grooming Principles and Expectations are part of the CES Honor Code and part of each student’s, employee’s, and volunteer’s commitment.

When considering Honor Code and dress and grooming decisions, the teachings of the prophets and apostles, as well as Church instruction, such as “For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices” can be helpful.

CES Dress and Grooming Principles

Each student, employee, and volunteer commits to:

1. Represent the Savior Jesus Christ, the Church, and the Church Educational System
2. Preserve an inspiring environment, without distraction or disruption, where covenants are kept in a spirit of unity so the Holy Ghost can teach truth
3. Promote modesty, cleanliness, neatness, and restraint in dress and grooming
4. Maintain an elevated standard distinctive to educational institutions of the Church of Jesus Christ

Dress and grooming expectations as in the examples below should align with these principles. However, application of these principles is not limited to the expectations listed. Members of the university community are expected to apply these principles to dress and grooming questions as they arise.

CES Dress and Grooming Expectations

1. Dress for men and women should:
   
   1. Be modest in fit and style. Dressing in a way that would cover the temple garment is a good guideline, whether or not one has been endowed. Accommodation may be made for athletic participation.
   2. Be neat and clean. Sloppy, overly casual, ragged, or extreme clothing is not acceptable.
2. Grooming
   
   1. Hair should be clean, neat, modest, and avoid extremes in styles and colors.
   2. Men’s hair should be neatly trimmed. Men should be clean shaven. If worn, mustaches should be neatly trimmed.

FAQs for Student Ecclesiastical Endorsements, the CES Honor Code, and Dress and Grooming Principles and Expectations

As outlined in the Dress and Grooming Principles section of the CES Honor Code, all BYU-Idaho employees commit to dress and grooming principles and expectations to support their roles as institutional representatives, leaders, and mentors to students and fellow employees.

Additionally, as an employer, BYU-Idaho maintains a professional dress and grooming standard for faculty, administrative, staff, and student employees. This is done in conjunction with the principles and expectations found in the CES Honor Code.

PROCEDURES

Male Employees

Male employees are expected to maintain a professional appearance and to wear dress shirts with ties and dress pants. Shoes should be consistent with a professional appearance.

Male employees must seek permission from their vice president to grow a beard for qualifying medical conditions (handled through an ADA review) or for special assignments connected with a Church video production.

Female Employees

Female employees are expected to maintain a professional appearance and to wear skirts or dress pants with dressy tops, dresses, or pantsuits. Shoes should be consistent with a professional appearance.

Professional Attire

Employees working in a classroom or office environment maintain a professional dress standard unless activities would dictate otherwise for safety. In roles where professional attire would not be functional or safe, the department chair or director, in consultation with line management up to the vice president, will determine appropriate attire.

OSHA-approved safety clothing guidelines and other university safety practices will be followed to protect employees. If required, safety clothing, logo shirts, or uniforms will be provided to the employee.

Student Employees

The Employee Dress and Grooming standards outlined in these procedures also apply to student employees. Student employees hold a wide range of positions and may have limited or variable schedules to such a degree that supervisors may determine appropriate adjustments for student employee attire. In doing so, the CES Honor Code Dress and Grooming Principles and Expectations should always be met.

Supervisory Leadership

Those with supervisory or leadership responsibilities ensure that employees under their guidance understand and uphold the CES Honor Code Dress and Grooming Principles and Expectations as well as the additional standards outlined in this policy.