Skip to main content
Religious Education

Religious Education Policies

HONOR CODE

In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university's expectation, and every instructor's expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.

BYU RELIGIOUS EDUCATION STATEMENT ON BELONGING AND INCLUSION

The Lord invites “all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female . . . and all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33, emphasis added). Discriminatory expressions assume superiority and are contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. We affirm our commitment to stand against all such expressions, and we affirm our commitment, in all of our endeavors, to follow the example of the Savior in being loving and inclusive, especially to the marginalized. When students, staff, and faculty extend common courtesy, empathy, and understanding, we manifest our love for Christ and for all God’s children.

Answering the call to “lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice” (see President Nelson’s address), Religious Education seeks to create a culture in which:

  • “All relationships reflect devout love of God and a loving, genuine concern for the welfare of our neighbor" (BYU Mission Statement);
  • We value and embrace the variety of individual characteristics, life experiences and circumstances, perspectives, talents, and gifts of each member of the community and the richness and strength they bring to our community (1 Corinthians 12:12–27);
  • Our interactions create and support an environment of belonging (Ephesians 2:19); and
  • The full realization of each student’s divine potential is our central focus (BYU Mission Statement). (See BYU’s Statement on Belonging).

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Whether an impairment is substantially limiting depends on its nature and severity, its duration or expected duration, and its permanent or expected permanent or long-term impact. Examples include vision or hearing impairments, physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, emotional disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety), learning disorders, and attention disorders (e.g., ADHD). If you have a disability which impairs your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the University Accessibility Center (UAC), 2170 WSC, 1-801-422-2767, or https://uac.byu.edu/services-offered to request a reasonable accommodation. The UAC can also assess students for learning, attention, and emotional concerns. If you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, please contact the Equal Employment Office at 1-801-422-5895, D-285 ASB for help.

Service animals are allowed in the classroom. Generally, animals that are strictly for emotional support or comfort are not allowed in the classroom. Questions may be directed to the University Accessibility Center (2170 WSC, 1-801-422-2767).

MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health concerns and stressful life events can affect students’ academic performance and quality of life. BYU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS, 1500 WSC, 801-422-3035, caps.byu.edu) provides individual, couples, and group counseling, as well as stress management services. These services are confidential and are provided by the university at no cost for full-time students. For general information please visit https://caps.byu.edu/; for more immediate concerns please visit http://help.byu.edu.

PREVENTING & RESPONDING TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The health and well-being of students is of paramount importance at Brigham Young University.  If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment (including sexual violence), there are many resources available for assistance. 

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, BYU prohibits unlawful sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, against any participant in its education programs or activities. The university also prohibits sexual harassment by its personnel and students. Sexual harassment occurs when

  • a person is subjected to unwelcome sexual speech or conduct so severe, pervasive, and offensive that it effectively denies their ability to access any BYU education program or activity; 
  • any aid, benefit, or service of BYU is conditioned on a person’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct; or 
  • a person suffers sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking on the basis of sex. 

University policy requires all faculty members to promptly report incidents of sexual harassment that come to their attention in any way, including through face-to-face conversations, a written class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social media post.  Incidents of sexual harassment should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at t9coordinator@byu.edu or (801) 422-8692 or 1085 WSC.  Reports may also be submitted online at https://titleix.byu.edu/report or 1-888-238-1062 (24-hours a day).

BYU offers confidential resources for those affected by sexual harassment, including the university’s Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate, as well as a number of non-confidential resources and services that may be helpful. Additional information about Title IX, the university’s Sexual Harassment Policy, reporting requirements, and resources can be found at http://titleix.byu.edu or by contacting the university’s Title IX Coordinator. 

CLASSROOM DISRUPTION

Disruptive behavior will lower your grade. Disruptive behavior includes multiple tardies, sleeping or eating in class, dominating class discussion or lecture with excessive comments/questions, spending excessive time on mobile devices, engaging in reading or study unrelated to class, etc.

ONLINE EVALUATIONS

Religious Education supports the use of online evaluations, and students are expected to complete them as directed by their course instructor. Go to http://studentratings.byu.edu.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

The first injunction of the Honor Code is the call to "be honest." Students come to the university not only to improve their minds, gain knowledge, and develop skills that will assist them in their life's work, but also to build character. "President David O. McKay taught that character is the highest aim of education" (The Aims of a BYU Education, p.6). It is the purpose of the BYU Academic Honesty Policy to assist in fulfilling that aim. BYU students should seek to be totally honest in their dealings with others. They should complete their own work and be evaluated based upon that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct.

INAPPROPRIATE USE OF COURSE MATERIALS

Course materials (e.g., outlines, handouts, syllabi, exams, quizzes, PowerPoint presentations, lectures, audio and video recordings) are generally the intellectual property of the professor, the university, or a third party. Publishing course materials may be a violation of copyright laws and/or Brigham Young University Honor Code under some circumstances. For example, it is a violation of the law and of the Honor Code to sell proprietary course materials without the express permission of the copyright owner. It is also a violation of university policy to share course materials or your own work (e.g., study sheets, papers)—including uploading such materials on file-share websites—to allow others to use them for cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty. These laws and policies apply indefinitely; they are not limited to the semester or term when you are enrolled in this course. Students should consult with the professor if they have questions or concerns about course materials.

PLAGIARISM

Intentional plagiarism is a form of intellectual theft that is in violation of the Church Educational System Honor Code and may subject the student to appropriate disciplinary action administered through the University Honor Code Office, in addition to academic sanctions that may be applied by an instructor. Inadvertent plagiarism, while not in violation of the Church Educational System Honor Code, is nevertheless a form of intellectual carelessness that is unacceptable in the academic community. Plagiarism of any kind is completely contrary to the established practices of higher education where all members of the university are expected to acknowledge the original intellectual work of others that is included in one's own work. In some cases, plagiarism may also involve violations of copyright law.

Updated July 2021