What's the deal with BYU Idaho?

[Hagoth]

You may have heard about the bare shoulders failing grade fiasco:
http://www.sltrib.com/home/4664710-155/ ... -grade-for

A girl in our ward who attends BYU-I says she was sent home from a PE class for being immodestly dressed. Her offense was that her sweat pants weren't a solid color, they had a pink stripe up the leg. A male friend of hers was thrown out of sacrament meeting for showing up in a blue shirt.

A friend told me his daughter's astronomy class test had essay questions that require you to state your answers in relevance to scripture.

Why do people want to attend this prison camp?

[MalcolmVillager]

I went there and although I loved it, I hated the dress code and curfew.

Seriously, a blue shirt? WTF!

[fh451]

IMO, sending your kid to BYU-I is like sending them to one of those Southern Utah wilderness survival places where they try to beat a testimony into you. It is the Mormon Madrasa equivalent. To quote one of their administrators after some public fiasco about blocking "questionable" cable television channels for all BYU-I approved housing: "You want to be able to 'teach correct principles and let them govern themselves,' but sometimes you just can't."

fh451

[Silver Girl]

A friend told me his daughter's astronomy class test had essay questions that require you to state your answers in relevance to scripture.

I would LOVE to have this essay question. Here's the type of answer I might offer:

"Now that we have learned about Joseph Smith's numerous marriages, we can assume his wisdom and inspiration extended to the stars (and to Kolob) as well as to our own universe. The moon's orbit of the Earth creates several days every four weeks during which there is little or no moonlight at night, and his movements would be hidden from others. I testify that Heavenly Father looked after our prophet and planned the universe to provide safety in his inspired comings and goings. Tender Mercies!"

[Notchet]

I'm not sure, but BYU-I has always seemed much more draconian in the enforcement of their rules than BYU-U. What's sad is students, faculty, and staff really have no recourse if they happen to disagree with BYU-I's heavy-handed methods...other than suck it up, or leave the institution. All who work at or attend BYU-I are required to have an ecclesiastic endorsement and/or temple recommend to remain employed or enrolled.

The same seems to apply to all LDS universities, COB, CES, or any other entity owned or operated by TSCC....not just BYU-I.

[Culper Jr.]

"Now that we have learned about Joseph Smith's numerous marriages, we can assume his wisdom and inspiration extended to the stars (and to Kolob) as well as to our own universe. The moon's orbit of the Earth creates several days every four weeks during which there is little or no moonlight at night, and his movements would be hidden from others. I testify that Heavenly Father looked after our prophet and planned the universe to provide safety in his inspired comings and goings. Tender Mercies!"

^^THAT is funny! Love it!

[glass shelf]

Back in the day of my youth, when it was called Ricks, it was the Mormon school you went to if you wanted to go to a Mormon school but couldn't get into the Y. I assumed people tolerated it because they were desperate to leave our Mormon-lacking part of the southeast and it was their only option.

I truly have no idea why anyone would accept it or send their kids there. A few years ago, I had a great babysitter who was home all Spring semester because she was only allowed to attend during Summer and Fall because of some way that had it set up to get more students in the school. Whatever. I hope my kids just go to state schools and have the normal college experiences I missed out on.

[moksha]

A friend told me his daughter's astronomy class test had essay questions that require you to state your answers in relevance to scripture.

Why do people want to attend this prison camp?

Basing it on the scriptures means you just have to answer the essay questions with vague code words. The milk of Cygnus IV, the meat of Alpha Centauri, the Kae-e-vanrash of Kolob. No need to crack the textbook for those who should be in a Family Home Evening activity, with an eye on getting married.

[Hagoth]

I wonder what they would do if you wrote an essay about how the earth gets its light from Kolob and how the universe is set up like a series of gears that change the rate of time based on their rate of rotation.

[Corsair]

BYU-I is a relatively inexpensive, accredited university for LDS students. Lower tuition is based on a student and their parents being devout, tithe-paying Mormons. If you are an orthodox, faithful Mormon parent, then sending your children to this environment makes perfect sense. Yes, the rules are strict and childish, but you will feel confident that the spirit will put your children on a path to righteousness and temple marriage.

The rules are nuts and there is no way that I could abide them even as a believer. As a full believer, I attended Arizona State University and thoroughly enjoyed it with no regrets.

[Fifi de la Vergne]

My eldest DS, currently a missionary, wants to attend BYU-I when he gets home. I've had multiple conversations with him about this (because obviously I would rather he didn't). He was a really good student and since we live well outside the MorCor he would have been a good candidate for Provo if he wanted to go the church school route, but he has an attitude that BYU-I is less snooty and more righteous (my words not his). I feel a little sick about it, but I have found with this kid that arguing tends to make him dig in deeper. If anyone has any thoughts about how to dissuade him though, I'd love to hear your suggestions.

[Korihor]

If anyone has any thoughts about how to dissuade him though, I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Encourage him to get on Google and do some research.

[shadow]

If anyone has any thoughts about how to dissuade him though, I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Appeal to him on terms other than religion, if possible. What are his long term employment goals? Where does he want to live after college? BYU-I is a regional university that may not carry a lot of weight outside of mormon communities.

[wtfluff]

If anyone has any thoughts about how to dissuade him though, I'd love to hear your suggestions.

BYU-Hawaii?

I know, I know... But it's GOT to be better than BHU-I.

[Corsair]

My eldest DS, currently a missionary, wants to attend BYU-I when he gets home. I've had multiple conversations with him about this (because obviously I would rather he didn't). He was a really good student and since we live well outside the MorCor he would have been a good candidate for Provo if he wanted to go the church school route, but he has an attitude that BYU-I is less snooty and more righteous (my words not his). I feel a little sick about it, but I have found with this kid that arguing tends to make him dig in deeper. If anyone has any thoughts about how to dissuade him though, I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Your best strategy is extending and escalating the idea of the honor code as the continuing version of the mission rules that he just got out from under. Talk about the honor code in "good" terms like, "It will be just like you are still living mission rules." Do it with an innocent smile on your face as if this is a happy fact that everyone routinely acknowledges. Buy a pack of "cheap" razors since he can't start growing facial hair like a normal adult man. Point out how you will always know where he is at 11:00 PM. Pack away his shorts since "he won't ever be needing those". It might take a semester or two, and it won't cost you much in tuition, nor him in unintentional life experience.

Don't fight him at all. This is a blind spot of virtually everyone that has gone through a faith transition. You cannot reliably make a person go through their own. It may be that your son is doomed/destined to be a devout LDS believer. Realize that this is not a necessarily bad outcome as they will be duty bound to view you as a parent to honor even if they disagree with your religious choices. If he is of a mind to want to be away from the soft fascism of mission life then sweet reminders of honor code life will grind at him in the right way. If he truly wants to live like a Primary child while in college then there is no need to strain your relationship with him now.

[moksha]

...but he has an attitude that BYU-I is less snooty and more righteous (my words not his). I feel a little sick about it, but I have found with this kid that arguing tends to make him dig in deeper.

BYU-P might me more snooty. BYU-I is probably much easier too. Hagoth mentioned that they encourage Gospel type answers for astronomy tests which means he could bag rigorous study and instead go to the Rexburg barn dance with Mary Lou Smith. It seems fortunate that your son wants to continue his education - even if it is to BYU-I. As long as he never thinks outside the box and is always obedient it will nourish and strengthen him with health in the navel, gristle between the ears, and will result in many grandchildren.

[Enough]

BYU-I might be a good fit, if the following is consistent with a students' goals for higher education:

MISSION STATEMENT

Build testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and encourage living its principles.

Provide a quality education for students of diverse interests and abilities.

Prepare students for lifelong learning, for employment, and for their roles as citizens and parents.

Maintain a wholesome academic, cultural, social and spiritual environment.