The Honor Code

One story of major interest is BYU's Brandon Davies' dismissal from BYU. For those of you who are unaware. Davies, a star basketball player of BYU's cinderella team, was dismissed from the team on March 1 for taking part in pre-martial sex with his girlfriend. Now this would seem like a minor offense and would most definitely not result in dismissal from the basketball team and potentially the school itself, but at BYU the rules are a little different. At BYU, students are held to a strict honor code which they all must agree to prior to entrance into the university. In this honor code, it states students must "Live a chaste and virtuous life" (in other words, don't have sex and don't do bad things).

By all technicalities, Davies did in fact deserve his dismissal and would deserve expulsion if he receives it. There are some such as Amare Stoudamire who think otherwise. Amare tweeted

"Don't ever go to BYU, they kick a Young Educated (Black)Brother OUT OF SCHOOL. The kid had premarital sex. Not suspended, Not Release. Wow!"

Now everyone has there opinion about this, but here is mine. I think the university made the correct decision. What Davies needs to hold himself to a higher standard, especially when you are in the public spotlight. If you sign a contract, you MUST obey it. Otherwise, your word means nothing. Also, if the university makes an exception for a "special" student, then it sets a double standard and is unjust compared to those who have been dismissed or expelled for similar behavior. All students are equals and thereby deserve the same just punishments and therefore the University's actions are justifiable.

What Davies needs to do now is take this as a learning experience. He learned why he should never break a contract he signs anywhere in life. I believe he will move on from this and have a great future.