Being a Brigham Young University (BYU) student differs from being an average college student. At BYU, you are held to a higher moral and religious standard than most. Your standing at BYU says a lot about your commitment to not just education but also leading an ethical life and being dedicated to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints community. Your entire life is intertwined with your standing at BYU, which is why you could lose everything when you're accused of misconduct.
You can't take any chances. You need a strong defense from the start to protect your place in your community and academic institution. Fortunately, the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team has helped countless students facing disciplinary action at BYU and other Christian Education System (CES) schools. Don't ruin your future; let the Lento Law Firm help. Contact us today at 888-535-3686 or through our online form.
Misconduct Allegations at Brigham Young University
BYU is arguably one of the strictest universities in the country, placing several restrictions on student behaviors, from grooming standards to academic integrity. When you are accused of misconduct at BYU, the accusation against you will fall into one or more of the following four categories: academic misconduct, non-academic misconduct, CES Honor Code violations, or Title IX violations.
Academic Misconduct
BYU's Academic Honesty Policy states that students should always "avoid academic dishonesty in all its forms," meaning they complete their school work individually and are evaluated as such. Academic misconduct at BYU includes, but is not limited to:
- Intentional plagiarism
- Inadvertent plagiarism
- Direct plagiarism
- Paraphrased plagiarism
- Plagiarism mosaic
- Insufficient acknowledgment
- Fabrication
- Falsification
- Cheating
- Attempting to gain an unfair advantage through bribery
- Continuing to work on examinations or assignments after allocated time has elapsed
- Double or multiple submissions
Non-Academic Misconduct and Christian Education System Honor Code Violations
Non-academic misconduct at BYU includes behaviors considered unacceptable at all universities and prohibited behaviors specific to BYU as a CES school. Common examples of non-academic misconduct at universities, including BYU, are:
- Harassment
- Hazing
- Assault
- Disruptive behavior
- Use of drugs and alcohol
- Firearms possession
- Breaking the law
There are also CES-school-specific prohibited actions that you should be aware of. Such prohibited behaviors at BYU include:
- No co-ed overnight activities not sponsored by BYU
- Not abiding by curfew and quiet hours
- Watching or viewing immoral, violent, or vulgar entertainment or media
- Overnight guests of the opposite sex
- Possession or use of pornography
- Failing to live in student-approved housing (unless students live at home with their parents)
- Violating opposite-sex visiting guidelines
Following the CES Honor Code is taken incredibly seriously at BYU. University officials will absolutely take disciplinary action against students who participate in CES-prohibited behaviors. Under the CES Honor Code, as a BYU student, you are required to:
- Maintain an Ecclesiastical Endorsement
- Be honest
- Live a chaste and virtuous life (including no premarital sexual relations, sexual relations outside marriage, and same-sex romantic behavior)
- Abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, vaping, drugs, and other substances
- Regular church attendance
- Respect others
- Refrain from using profane or vulgar language
- Obey campus dress and grooming standards
Additional information on prohibited behaviors can be found in the following BYU documents:
- Student Housing Policy
- Dress and Grooming Principles and Expectations
- Same-Sex Romantic Behavior
- Student Standing and Ecclesiastical Endorsements
Title IX Violations
Any sexual misconduct at BYU will fall into the category of a Title IX violation (as well as potentially a CES and non-academic misconduct violation). Title IX violations at BYU can include but are not limited to:
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual assault
- Gender discrimination
- Dating violence
- Domestic violence
- Stalking
Brigham Young University Disciplinary Action Process for Academic Misconduct
When a matter of academic misconduct arises at BYU, professors have the first opportunity to handle it. When you're accused of academic misconduct, you will meet with your professor to attempt to come to a resolution. Professors have the authority to:
- Issue a written or oral reprimand
- Required the student to re-do the work affected by academic dishonesty
- Issue a lower or failing grade on the assignment or exam
- Issue a lower or failing grade from the course
- Remove the student from the course
BYU's Honor Code Office may also decide to take disciplinary action against the student instead of a professor's disciplinary action. Generally, this occurs when the academic dishonesty is so egregious that probation, suspension, or dismissal from BYU are recommended sanctions. If this is the case, the academic misconduct incident will be handled using the same process as non-academic misconduct and CES violations, as discussed below.
Brigham Young University Disciplinary Action Process for Non-Academic Misconduct and CES Violations
Non-academic misconduct and CES violations are automatically addressed using an Honor Code Investigation conducted by the Honor Code Office. BYU is unique in that while it publishes its disciplinary action process, it clearly states that it doesn't have to follow these procedures – they are just guidelines.
This policy can make it difficult for BYU students facing disciplinary action to know their rights and fully understand the process and consequences. Because of this unique policy, it is even more important to retain a student defense attorney. At the Lento Law Firm, our Student Defense Team is well-versed in the disciplinary process at BYU and all the tricks the university may try to use in the process. Your Lento Law Firm attorney will guide you through the process and protect your rights. There is no circumstance in which you should go through this process alone.
As we said, BYU doesn't have to follow its Honor Code Investigation policy, but if it chooses to, the process will look like this:
The Honor Code Office will investigate your case, interview you and relevant parties, and collect evidence. It will then schedule a meeting with you to discuss your case. While most other schools offer a hearing, mediation, or other method for resolving disciplinary action, BYU officials only let you discuss your case at this meeting and immediately decide on sanctions.
Sanctions at BYU can include:
- Counsel and Education
- Warning
- Probation
- Participation in the Steady Upward Course
- Suspension
- Withheld suspension
- Dismissal
Appeals
When sanctions issued against you include probation, suspension, or dismissal, you may be entitled to a disciplinary appeal. There are strict rules for disciplinary appeals at BYU, but your Lento Law Firm attorney will tell you if you meet the eligibility requirements and how to proceed.
Title IX Disciplinary Action Process at Brigham Young University
Title IX allegations at BYU are addressed differently than other types of misconduct. This is because Title IX, a federal law, requires all colleges and universities to handle these cases a certain way. BYU's Title IX Office will deal with it if you're accused of a Title IX violation.
First, your case will be assigned to a Title IX Coordinator. Their job is to first work with you and the other involved party to find a solution. If an informal resolution cannot be reached, a Title IX investigation and hearing will occur. Title IX cases are complex, but your Lento Law Firm attorney will talk to you about each step of the process and prepare an effective defense.
Protect Your Future – Retain the Lento Law Firm Today
When your academic career and standing as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is on the line, you need the Lento Law Firm. Get started with our Student Defense Team today by calling us at 888-535-3686 or using our online form.
