Reworking the Honor Code

I have a good idea.

Every year, every one of BYU's students has to get an ecclesiastical endorsement, to make sure that we're living the Honor Code (because those who aren't living the Honor Code are going to stop because they know they'll HAVE to talk to the Bishop about it). I propose a new system of determining the level of our honor.

First, a little background. One of BYU's main quotes regarding the Honor Code comes from Karl G. Maeser. To keep from misquoting him, this is what he said exactly:

"I have been asked what I mean by my word of honor. I will tell you. Place me behind prison walls-- ever so high, ever so thick, reaching ever so far into the ground - there is a possibility that in some way or another I will escape; but stand me on a floor and draw a chalk line around me and have me give my word of honor never to cross it. Can I get out of the Circle? No. Never! I would die first."

It is in the spirit of Brother Maeser that I move to make a change in the process of our ecclesiastical endorsements. It is as simple as this: each student will report to Brigham Square at his or her appointed time (perhaps they could get their new student ID card while they're at it?). Each student will be forced to draw a chalk line around themselves, and they must give their word of honor not to leave it. Ta-da! Problem solved! Those who leave their chalk circles will be required to leave BYU. Those who die in their chalk circles...well, now we know who has real honor.

Perhaps in an effort to continue to actually have a student body (seeing as the only ones left at the school would soon die because they could not leave their chalk circles), we should put a time limit on it. I think 24 hours would suffice. You can't stay in your chalk circle for 24 hours? Sorry--now you have to find a new school. You aren't honorable enough.

I think my solution is definitely a win-win-win situation. Win #1: BYU no longer has to worry about enforcing the Honor Code. What better way to judge the honor of its students? Also, how much money could they save from having to employ an entire department to enforce the Honor Code? Tons. Win #2: The students of BYU. These people obviously have such high amounts of honor, they deserve to be around others of such high caliber. Somehow I have a feeling that this could leave BYU with even more "Molly Mormons" and "Peter Priesthoods" than it already has (if that was possible).** This is also possibly considered a win for them in that they don't have to deal with us Hellians who say things like "hell" or "crap" or "freaking" and who leave a boy's apartment at 12:15 on a Thursday night. Win #3: I no longer have to have an ecclesiastical endorsement every year with my bishop, nor do I have to worry about what the Honor Code entails.

Perfect solution? I think yes.

**Optional Win #4: BYU gets translated because the students are just SO honorable and righteous.