The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full report, CLICK HERE.

 

Principle-based changes to Student Ecclesiastical Endorsements, the Honor Code, and Dress and Grooming Standards provide consistency across the Church Educational System

The Church Board of Education of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has approved updates to Student Ecclesiastical Endorsements, the Honor Code, and Dress and Grooming Principles and Expectations for the Church Educational System (CES).

The updates are principle-based, provide consistency across CES institutions, and better align student endorsement interviews with Church leaders’ ecclesiastical responsibilities. The changes are designed to help students grow closer to Jesus Christ and strengthen the overall student experience.

 BYU-Provo

 

Updates have been made in the following three areas:

  1. The Student Ecclesiastical Endorsement elevates the student’s interview by aligning it with the ecclesiastical responsibilities of priesthood leaders and focusing on a student’s efforts to grow spiritually and meet ecclesiastical standards. Administration of university Honor Code and Dress and Grooming policies will now more fully reside with the CES institutions.
  2. The CES Honor Code has been the same for all CES institutions for many years. Updates highlight its role in accomplishing the religious mission of CES.
  3. Dress and Grooming Principles and Expectations have historically varied among CES institutions and will now be simplified and unified across campuses. These updates identify a set of foundational principles while retaining an important set of common expectations.

“These changes will help everyone associated with CES further embrace the distinct purpose associated with CES institutions of higher education and to more fully accomplish our mission to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities,” said Elder Clark G. Gilbert, the CES Commissioner of Education. “Our goal is that all students and employees feel the love of the Savior, experience the growth from applying gospel principles, and more fully realize the joy associated with being part of a covenant-keeping community.”

CES conducted focus groups at several of its institutions to gather input from students in the development of these changes. Students were enthusiastic and expressed their feelings that a focus on the Savior, combined with an emphasis on principles and expectations, would elevate dress, grooming, and behavior as students become more intentional and take increased ownership for dress and grooming decisions.

After extended counseling together, CES presidents C. Shane Reese (Brigham Young University), Alvin F. Meredith III (BYU–Idaho), John S.K. Kauwe III (BYU–Hawaii), and Bruce C. Kusch (Ensign College) felt that the new updates would inspire both students and employees and add to the unity that is felt across CES.

Student ecclesiastical endorsement interviews that are conducted on or after August 30, 2023, will proceed using the updated questions. Additionally, beginning August 30, 2023, the new CES Honor Code and the Dress and Grooming Principles and Expectations will be fully implemented at Church-sponsored institutions. BYU–Pathway Worldwide and Seminaries and Institutes of Religion will continue to match Church dress and grooming standards as appropriate for local activities.

FAQs are available to answer more specific questions about these updates.

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The updated Student Ecclesiastical Endorsement questions, the CES Honor Code, and the Dress and Grooming Principles and Expectations are as follows:

Student Ecclesiastical Endorsement Questions

  1. Are you striving to deepen your testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost?
  2. Are you striving to deepen your testimony of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
  3. Are you striving for moral cleanliness in your thoughts and behavior?
  4. Do you obey the law of chastity?
  5. Do you sustain the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators?
  6. Do you support or promote any teachings, practices, or doctrine contrary to those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

To read the full report, CLICK HERE.