Honor Code

Use Clean Language
"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt 12:34). The Lord has made it clear that there is a distinct connection between our speech and our degree of conversion. The apostle James said that just as a tree bears fruit according to its kind, how we speak reveals our strength of character. Gossip and slanderous stories not only damage the character of the victim, they besmirch the reputation of those who repeat them. As representatives of the university, members of the university community are expected to avoid the use of profane, crude, or demeaning language about themselves, others, or the university.

Profanity and other crude expressions
BYU faculty, staff, and students should avoid swearing in speech and writing; coarse expressions derived from profanity; displaying of pictures, posters, and other forms of expressions which are crude or suggestive; and expressions that depend upon allusions to crudity for effect.

Demeaning language
Since all human beings are children of Heavenly Father, they are literally our spiritual brothers and sisters. Expressions such as racial slurs in writing, in speech, in print, or in recordings that demean any person, self, or others are not acceptable.