Honor Code

Obey the Law
The Lord, through modern revelation, requires of his people in this, the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times, obedience and steadfast support of the properly-instituted governments in all lands (D&C 58:21-22; 98:4-6; and 134.) The Twelfth Article of Faith affirms this position, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." President McKay, the ninth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, notes:

"The article [of faith] does not say we believe in submission to the law. Obedience implies a higher attitude than mere submission, for obedience has its root in good intent; submission may spring from selfishness or meanness of spirit. Though obedience and submission both imply restraint on one's own will, we are obedient only from a sense of right; submissive from a sense of necessity" (Gospel Ideals, David O. McKay, p. 380).

"[O]beying, honoring, and sustaining the law" is a basic tenet which governs the behavior of all members of the university community. Members of the university community are expected to adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and in the same spirit to follow all institutional policies.

Assault and battery
Assault and battery is a violation of the Honor Code as well as a violation of the law. The Honor Code Office (HCO) takes actions independent of any judicial action. Examples of serious assault and battery behavior include but are not limited to the following:

1. Acting with intent to kill, injure, or harm another person
2. Using physical force to coerce or to retaliate for a real or imagined offense
3. Threatening to inflict injury upon another person
4. Using a dangerous weapon

Fighting Policy
BYU prohibits fighting both on and off campus. Except as participants in activities sponsored by campus organizations such as WAC wrestling matches, intramurals, and club or BYUSA events, students who fight are not complying with the Honor Code. The HCO will interview students (who are reported for fighting) and witnesses to determine the extent of student involvement.

On the basis of the first report, students who are found to have been involved in fights may be placed on probation or suspended for a minimum of one year. The specific course of action chosen will be determined by the crudity of the language used, the seriousness of the threats, the level of violence, and the extent of injuries. Subsequent involvement in any fight may result in suspension of the students involved.

Verbal Assault
To threaten to kill or to inflict injury upon another person is a breach of the BYU Honor Code, whether the ability to carry out the threat is apparent and present or not. Racial slurs and the use of disparaging or derogatory epithets motivated by racism or anger is ugly, against the law, and a violation of the Honor Code. Such violations are considered as serious as any physical assault and may result in probation, suspension, or dismissal.

Firearms Policy
BYU prohibits the possession (on or near the university campus, including residence halls) or use of firearms, which includes any device which can expel a projectile, and/or other dangerous weapons, including knives, explosives, or other items which, in their intended use, are capable of inflicting serious injury. Because these items pose a clear risk to the persons and property on the BYU campus, violation of this policy may result in suspension from the university; prosecution under appropriate city, state, or federal laws; and/or a $300 fine.

A student residing in an on-campus residence area who wishes to bring a hunting or target weapon with him/her to school should check it in with the management of the area immediately upon arriving at school and may check it out just prior to its use. At no time shall a weapon or firearm be in a residence hall.

Exceptions to the Firearms Policy

1. University single and married students housing. Firearms and ammunition storage facilities are available in area housing offices for students who reside on campus. Residents must complete a Firearms Storage Request form (forms may be picked up in the Cannon or Morris Centers) prior to storing any weapon or ammunition inside university storage facilities. Weapons and ammunition and/or other types of explosive materials are strictly forbidden inside university-owned dwelling units.

2. Approved off-campus single student housing units. No tenant in a living unit occupied by single persons may store, keep, or maintain any firearm in the apartment without the prior written consent of the landlord and all other tenants in the unit.

3. ROTC units. Members of the campus ROTC units may possess and/or carry firearms as part of official ROTC functions when authorized by the professor of Military Science in strict accordance with existing military regulations. At no time may the weapons be inside residence halls.

4. BYUSA shooting club. Members of the BYUSA-sanctioned shooting club may possess and/or carry firearms and ammunition as part of a regularly scheduled activity as prescribed by the club charter. Safety requirements as dictated by the campus Safety Office shall be strictly observed. At no time may the weapons be inside residence halls.

5. University Police. University Police may carry weapons on those terms established by departmental regulations.

Source: University Electronic Handbook.

Lewdness
Students are expected to understand that lewd behavior is inconsistent with a chaste and virtuous life and is therefore a violation of the Honor Code.

1. Lewd behavior may result in disciplinary action by the HCO whether or not the student is prosecuted under the law.
2. A person is lewd when he or she removes underclothing and exposes himself or herself, masturbates, engages in voyeurism, or performs any other act in a public place or under circumstances which the person should know will likely cause affront or alarm to another person.
3. In most cases the consequences for lewd behavior are probation or suspension.
4. Factors that weigh in the decision include the extent to which the behavior was public, the number of persons affected, and the potential for harm.

   Malicious mischief, vandalism, and reckless burning
   Respect for other people's property and possessions is fundamental to the environmental expectations of BYU; disrespect in any of these dimensions is a violation of the Honor Code. Examples of serious behavior related to malicious mischief, vandalism, and reckless burning include but are not limited to the following:

   1. Intentional or reckless endangerment (such as pennied doors, lighting a fire in a garbage can, burning a candle, etc.) or causing of injury
   2. Damage, defacement, or destruction of the property of the university or of another individual
   3. Disregard of the rights of others

      When mutual vandalism has occurred at two or more educational institutions, a cooperative agreement will be worked out with the other school(s) in which the students will make restitution. This restitution can be through work or the payment of money. Work is preferred. The work hours will be equivalent to costs based on minimal wage level. The students will be placed on university probation until completion of the restitution or longer.

      Sexual assault and rape
      Any violation of another individual's right to be free from forcible and nonforcible sex offenses constitutes a serious violation of the Honor Code which may result in immediate suspension or dismissal from the university.

      Theft and burglary
      Theft of another person's property and possessions, including unauthorized possession of such property, is a violation of the Honor Code and action may be taken by the HCO independent of any action taken within the judicial system. Any level of theft at BYU is significant and may lead to suspension. Examples of serious behavior related to theft and burglary include but are not limited to:

      1. Significant dollar amount and/or multiple items stolen. Significant dollar amount may be classified by legal definitions of theft categories:
         • $100 value or less; classified as a Class B misdemeanor; allows up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine
         • $100 to $250; Class A misdemeanor; up to a year in jail and $2,500 fine
         • $250 to $1,000; third degree felony; 0 to 5 years in prison and up to $2,500 fine
         • More than $1,000; second degree felony; 1 to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 fine
      2. "Multiple items stolen," even in a single episode of theft, verifies a calculated intent that goes beyond any reasonable claim of impulse or transitory lapse of self-control. When multiple items are stolen, regardless of their monetary value, suspension may be warranted
      3. Patterns of habitual theft
      4. Forcible taking of property from another
      5. Evidence of forcible or illegal entry for purposes of theft
      6. Weapon on person or used in process of theft

      Unlawful sexual harassment
      Unlawful sexual harassment is contrary to the teachings of the LDS Church, the university's Honor Code and applicable civil rights laws and regulations. BYU's Honor Code requires that university personnel and students abide by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 which prohibit sexual harassment. For an outline of specific expectations and consequences of violation of the expectations, see University Electronic Handbook, Unlawful Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Gender-Based Behavior Policies.