Brigham Young University–Idaho (BYU-Idaho) and other Church Educational System institutions exist to provide an education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That atmosphere is created and preserved by a community of faculty, administration, staff, and students who voluntarily commit to conduct their lives in accordance with the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ and who 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 class enrollment, each member of the BYU-Idaho community personally commits to observe these Honor Code standards approved by the Board of Trustees “at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9):
- Be honest.
- Live a chaste and virtuous life, including abstaining from any sexual relations outside a marriage between a man and a woman.
- Respect others, including the avoidance of profane and vulgar language.
- Obey the law and follow campus policies.
- Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, vaping, and substance abuse.
- Participate regularly in Church services (required only of Church members).
- Observe BYU-Idaho’s dress and grooming standards.
- Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code.
Academic Honesty means students do their own work. This also means their instructors will evaluate that work. Students should not be dishonest—this includes all types of work in their courses.
Examples of academic dishonesty include:
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using other peoples’ words, ideas, or data without citing, quoting, or referencing the original author.
Examples of plagiarism, including but are not limited to:
- Direct Plagiarism: copying others’ ideas, words, or data without citing, quoting, or referencing the author or source
- Incidental (accidental) plagiarism: this happens when a student uses another person’s words, ideas, or data, but does not cite, quote, or reference them appropriately
- Paraphrased Plagiarism: this happens when a student uses his or her own words to describe ideas, words, or data from another person or source without citing or referencing that person or source
- Plagiarism Mosaic: this happens when students borrow words, ideas, or data from another person or source. Then the student combines those words, ideas, or data into his or her own writing without citing or referencing the original author or source
- Insufficient Acknowledgment: partial or incomplete referencing of another person or source when borrowing words, ideas, or data from that person or source
Fabrication or Falsification
Fabrication or Falsification is creating false or fake information from an original source or author.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- Citing a source that does not exist
- Creating fake information, words, or data and stating the fake information, words, or data come from an official author or source
- Stating that results come from an author or source when the original author or source did not claim those results
- Citing an author or source in a reference section or bibliography section when the author or source is not referenced in the assignment
- Purposefully changing the meaning or application of data, words, or information from another source or author
- Creating fake data or results to support conclusions
Cheating
Cheating is copying other people's work during projects, assignments, tests, or other school work.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- Copying from another person’s work during a test, a quiz, an assignment, or project.
- Allowing someone to copy work during a test, a quiz, an assignment, or project.
- Using notes or other materials during a test, a quiz, an assignment, or project without permission from the instructor.
- Working with other people on a test, quiz, assignment, or project without permission from the instructor.
- Completing a test, quiz, assignment, or project for another person without permission from the instructor.
- Allowing another person to complete a test or quiz for you without permission from the instructor
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct: lying or any other dishonest behavior regarding school work
Examples included but are not limited to:
- Giving or receiving help on assignments when the instructor has prohibited it
- Making plans with another person to be academically dishonest
- Offering to give money or something of value in order to receive help on tests, or quizzes
- Offering to give help on tests or quizzes
- Changing or altering grades in official education records
- Obtaining answers to a test, quiz, or assignment without permission
- Providing answers to a test, quiz, or assignment without permission
- Entering a building or office, without permission, in order to access academic material or content
- Continuing to work on an assignment, quiz, test, or project if time has expired
- Trying to gain credit in different classes for the same assignment or project without permission from each course instructor
- Getting equal credit on group assignments when a student did less work than other students
Unauthorized Uploading or Sharing
Uploading or sharing BYU-Idaho course content and material without permission is also a form of academic dishonesty. Students should not upload, share, or find course material without permission from the instructor. Your course instructor may also impose other restrictions on the use of course materials.
Consequences of Violating the Academic Honesty Policy
Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy may result in consequences up to and including suspension or expulsion from the university.
Other Notes:
A suspension means not being able to take BYU-Idaho classes for a certain amount of time. Expulsion means not being able to continue as a student at BYU-Idaho.
“When you are honest in every way, you are able to enjoy peace of mind and maintain self-respect. You build strength of character, which allows you to be of service to God and others. You are trustworthy in the eyes of God and those around you. If you are dishonest in your words or actions, you hurt yourself and often hurt others as well. If you lie, steal, cheat, or neglect to give the full amount of work for your pay, you lose your self-respect. You lose the guidance of the Holy Ghost”
The Board of Trustees of BYU-Idaho requires every student attending the university to have an annual ecclesiastical endorsement. This will be completed by the bishop of the ward in which the student and/or membership record resides. The continuing endorsement must be completed prior to registering for classes.
The bishop verifies the following:
- If LDS, the student is in full fellowship in the Church
- The student lives a chaste and virtuous life, including avoidance of pornography, and abstinence from sexual relations outside of marriage.
- The student lives the Word of Wisdom by abstaining from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, coffee, tea, and other harmful substances
- The student demonstrates appropriate and consistent church activity
- The student is honest
The student verifies they are striving to live the Honor Code. Students will renew their endorsement during the first semester of their assigned track. Online students without an assigned track will review their endorsement annually during the semester of their initial enrollment.
One of the greatest advantages BYU-Idaho offers its students is the opportunity to be a member of a student ward and stake. Sunday meetings, Monday home evenings, and other activities contribute to the spiritual and social growth of each student. Progress toward spirituality and righteousness is greatly enhanced through participation in the sacrament, priesthood, Relief Society, and auxiliary meetings provided each week. BYU-Idaho’s most important mission is to encourage students to live the principles and build testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Attendance in your assigned ward meetings is a requirement for continued enrollment. Students who do not attend their church meetings may have their endorsements withdrawn.
Single students living in approved housing are expected to attend their assigned YSA ward. Students whose home is in the immediate community are expected to attend their home ward or assigned YSA ward. Married students generally attend married-student wards but may elect to attend community wards in which they reside based on specific family needs.
Brigham Young University–Idaho (BYU-Idaho) and other Church Educational System institutions exist to provide an education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Dress and Grooming
The dress and grooming of both men and women should always be modest, neat and clean, and consistent with the dignity adherent to representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any of its institutions of higher education.
Men and women should be neat and clean and avoid being extreme or inappropriately casual in clothing, hairstyle, and behavior. Immodest clothing is any clothing that is tight, sheer, or revealing in any manner. Pants, slacks, or jeans should not be patched, faded, frayed, or torn and must be ankle length. Hairstyles should be clean and neat, avoiding extreme styles and unnatural colors. Caps or hats should not be worn in buildings. Shoes should be worn in all public campus areas. Flip-flops and other casual footwear are inappropriate on campus. Shorts are not appropriate campus attire. Do not disfigure yourself with tattoos or body piercings.
Women
Clothing is immodest when it is sleeveless, does not cover the stomach, or is low-cut in the front or back. Dresses and skirts should be knee-length or longer (even with leggings worn). Women may wear one pair of earrings.
Men
Hair should be trimmed above the collar leaving the ear uncovered. Sideburns should not extend below the earlobe or onto the cheek. Men are expected to be clean shaven; mustaches, if worn, should be neatly trimmed and may not extend beyond or below the corners of the mouth. Beards are not appropriate.
Shaving Exemptions
Students may receive a shaving exemption for the following reasons:
- Medical condition
- Church Media video production assignments
- Actively participating in an officially recognized religion which advocates the wearing of a beard as one of its religious tenets.
Prior to receiving a shaving exemption, students will need to participate in a seminar offered by the Student Honor Office at the beginning of each semester. Please contact the Student Honor Office at (208) 496-9300 to sign up for a scheduled seminar.
Exemption Expirations
- Approved shaving exemptions expire at the end of each semester.
- Shaving exemptions can be extended as part of a medical treatment plan approved by a BYU-Idaho physician.
Activity and Recreational Attire
Dress standards for each event will be specified prior to the event. If no standard is indicated, the minimum standard will be campus attire. Modest casual attire may be worn at certain activities and events. Shorts and other pants ending above the ankle are inappropriate for campus. Shorts are only allowed at playing fields and must be modest in length. Traveling across campus to activities in shorts is not appropriate.
Event Attire
The minimum standard for men will be shirt and tie. Jeans are not appropriate. The minimum standard for women will be a dress (or a skirt and blouse or sweater). Casual dress or clothing will not be permitted.
Semiformal Dance Attire
Men: A tuxedo is optional, while church attire such as a sports coat with a tie is recommended. A dress shirt and tie or a dressy sweater and dress slacks are acceptable. Dress shoes are required. Athletic shoes, t-shirts, kilts, jeans, and grubby attire are not appropriate.
Women: A formal dress is optional; Sunday dress is recommended (a modest dress with the hemline or slit at or below the knee). Dress shoes are required. Athletic shoes, sleeveless dresses, spaghetti straps, low-cut necklines, unlined see-through materials, and open-back dresses below the shoulder blades are not appropriate.
Special-Theme Dances
Dress should be consistent with university dress standards at all events. Appropriate dress will be specified in the publicity prior to the dance.
Swim Wear
BYU-Idaho invites students to refer to For the Strength of Youth when choosing their swimsuit attire. Specifically, we are taught, “Never lower your dress standards for any occasion. Doing so sends the message that you are using your body to get attention and approval and that modesty is important only when it is convenient”.
Swimsuits should be modest in fabric, fit, and style. Women’s suits should cover the stomach. Men’s suits should sit at the waist.
Camping and Overnight Activities
Overnight co-ed activities that are not university sponsored such as spending the night together at the St. Anthony Sand Dunes, camping, staying in motels or cabins, and similar activities are prohibited. No overnight guests of the opposite sex are permitted at any time in single-student housing.
Computer Crime
Any person who knowingly and without permission accesses or attempts to access any campus computer, computer system, computer program, or network without prior authorization is committing computer fraud.
Copyright
The use of university-owned computers, databases, servers, or the BYU-Idaho website or intranet for the storage, distribution, sharing, viewing, or transmission of copyrighted materials without permission is prohibited.
Curfew and Quiet Hours
Students should be in their own apartments by midnight Saturday through Thursday nights and 1:00 a.m. on Friday nights. Apartment visitors must leave in time to arrive in their own apartments by curfew. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily and all day on Sunday.
Disruptive Behavior
BYU-Idaho is committed to providing a safe and secure academic, cultural, social, and spiritual environment consistent with the Church Educational System Honor Code. Disruptive behavior is any behavior that adversely impacts the educational process and environment of other students, the community, or the administrative functions of the university on or off campus.
Drugs and Alcohol
The use or possession of substances, drink, drug, chemical or dangerous practice that is used to produce a "high" or another artificial effect that may harm your body or mind and associated paraphernalia is prohibited at all times (For the Strength of Youth, pg. 26). The university may disclose the violation to the student’s parent/guardian. This can be made with or without the student's consent if students are less than 21 years of age at the time of disclosure.
Students agree to not share their passwords, send spam mail or any inappropriate material (including messages of a harassing or salacious nature), use their account for commercial purposes or any form of advertising. Students must not enter the e-mail accounts of others nor send e-mail messages posing as someone they are not. Students must not harvest and provide lists of BYU-Idaho e-mail accounts to anyone.
Entertainment and the Media
For the Strength of Youth teaches us to, "choose wisely when using media, because whatever you read, listen to, or look at has an effect on you. Select only media that uplifts you. Do not attend, view, or participate in anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in anything that presents immorality or violence as acceptable." Take care that your use of media and entertainment does not dull your sensitivity to the Spirit or interfere with your personal relationships with others. "Do not communicate anything over the Internet or through text that would be inappropriate to share in person. Obey the laws that govern sharing music, movies, and other copyrighted items" (pgs 11-13). See Apartment Living Standards at http://www.byui.edu/housing/policies/apartment-living-standards
Firearms
BYU-Idaho prohibits the possession or use of firearms and weapons on property owned or controlled by the university, including on-campus and off-campus BYU-Idaho approved housing (see Idaho Code 18-3302C, SB1254), and at programs sponsored by BYU-Idaho, which occur off of campus property (i.e. Discovery, travel related to academic studies, student activities, etc.). For the purpose of this policy, firearms or weapons include any device that can expel a projectile, and/or other dangerous weapons, including knives, explosives, or other items that, in their intended use, are capable of inflicting injury. Because these items pose a clear risk to the persons and property on BYU-Idaho's campus, violation of this policy will result in appropriate disciplinary sanctions.
Under the laws of the state of Idaho, BYU-Idaho is permitted as a private institution to place limitations on the carrying of weapons onto its private property. No one (employees, students, or visitors) except trained and authorized municipal, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers, or trained and authorized BYU-Idaho Security officers, is permitted to possess or carry firearms or other weapons, concealed or not concealed, with or without a concealed weapons permit, while upon the properties owned or controlled by the university.
Specifically approved and sanctioned BYU-Idaho programs, such as archery courses and Badger Creek programs, may use weapons under the guidance of trained instructors, within the scope of their approved mission. Members of the campus ROTC units may possess and/or carry firearms or weapons with the firing pins or other actuating devices removed as part of official ROTC functions when authorized by the ROTC administrator. ROTC units on campus are also allowed to possess and store unloaded paintball training equipment in a secured storage area on campus.
BYU-Idaho campus is a weapons-free environment.
Harassment, Hazing, Intimidations, or Aggressive Behavior
All forms of harassment including but not limited to verbal, physical, mental, sexual, including sexual misconduct, hazing, intimidation, exploitation, or aggressive behavior that threaten or endanger the physical or emotional health and safety of others is in violation of the Honor Code. To report these types of behavior contact the Student Honor Office at 208-496-9300, Kimball Building Room 270 or the Dean of Students Office at 208-496-9200, Kimball Building Room 290.
Overnight Guests
Because overnight guests often cause interruption and inconvenience to others, all such guests should be cleared with the apartment manager and agreed upon by the roommates. No overnight guests of the opposite sex are permitted at any time. Each tenant shall be responsible for any damage, beyond reasonable wear and tear, to the property of the apartment complex caused by the tenant, members of the tenant’s family, or guests of the tenant.
Pets
No pets of any kind are allowed on campus or in approved housing. See Apartment Living Standards at http://www.byui.edu/housing/policies/apartment-living-standards
Pornography
Pornography in any form is not permitted. The use of pornography is a serious sin and can lead to other sexual transgressions. Pornography in all forms is especially dangerous and addictive. Avoid pornography at all costs. (For the Strength of Youth, pg 12)
Right of Access
BYU-Idaho is a private institution. Therefore all grounds, walkways, roads, parking areas, and buildings owned by the university are private property. The university retains the right and legal authority to limit or otherwise restrict access to the campus for any reason it may deem appropriate. As an educational institution, BYU-Idaho affirms its right to guard or protect employees, students, and guests from interferences that would disrupt any class, program, activity, event, or permitted function. This includes stalking or other conduct that is threatening or disruptive to students, employees, or guests on campus properties.
Sexual Misconduct
For purposes of this policy, sexual misconduct encompasses a range of behaviors that can create a hostile educational environment, including sexual assault and sexual harassment. This policy applies to sexual misconduct that is perpetrated by or against university students, university employees, participants in university programs, or visitors on its campus, whether the behavior occurs on or off campus. This policy also prohibits retaliation in connection with any reports of possible sexual misconduct that are made under this policy. This policy explains the investigation process used to adjudicate reported violations covered under this policy.
BYU-Idaho is committed to promoting and maintaining a safe and respectful environment for the campus community. Sexual misconduct of any kind is contrary to the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Church Educational System Honor Code.
The university prohibits sexual misconduct in all of its forms, including (but not limited to) sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, indecent exposure, and all non-consensual sexual contact or behavior (collectively "sexual misconduct") perpetrated by or against university students, university employees, participants in university programs, or visitors to its campus, whether the behavior occurs on or off campus.
Definitions of prohibited conduct are explained in the University's Sexual Misconduct Policy at http://www.byui.edu/titleIX. Individuals who believe they have been subjected to Sexual Misconduct should make a report even if they have simultaneously been involved in other violations of university policy, such as the use of alcohol or drugs. Violations of university policy or the Church Educational System Honor Code do not make a victim at fault for sexual violence or other forms of Sexual Misconduct and may be addressed separately from the sexual misconduct report.
Any person who becomes aware of Sexual Misconduct or needs assistance or information related to sexual misconduct may contact the Title IX Coordinator, Nick Rammell, at 290 Kimball Building, 208-496-9200, titleix@byui.edu
Single-Student Approved Housing
All single students under the age of 27 must live in approved housing unless they live at home with their parents. Only admitted students are eligible to live in approved housing beginning in their first assigned semester. Individuals enrolled in Continuing Education who are not admitted to a track are not eligible to live in approved housing. Students who wish to live with a relative must receive an exception from the Housing & Student Living Office to live outside of approved housing. Failure to comply with approved housing guidelines will result in a hold being placed on the student record. This hold may prevent a student from registering for classes, release a student from current classes, or prevent a student from acquiring transcripts.
Individuals in the following categories must seek housing in the community market: (a) those who have not been admitted as BYU-Idaho students; (b) students who have been suspended for an Honor Code violation; (c) students on academic suspension; and (d) single students with children. All students living off campus must provide the university with their current local street address while enrolled at BYU-Idaho. Students giving a false address are in violation of the Honor Code and subject to disciplinary action through the Student Honor Office, which may include suspension. For more information contact Housing and Student Living http://www.byui.edu/housing.
Visitation Guidelines (By The Opposite Sex)
Men and women may visit in apartments of the opposite sex beginning at 10 a.m. Visitors of the opposite sex are not allowed in bedrooms at any time. See Apartment Living Standards at http://www.byui.edu/housing/policies/apartment-living-standards