Brigham Young University’s policy on beards is getting some attention thanks to Andrew Sullivan. For some reason, I find this hilarious:
A student who wishes to obtain a beard exception must visit a BYU Student Health Center doctor by appointment (422.5156). The doctor will fax his recommendation. The student then needs to come to the Honor Code Office to fill out some paperwork and receive the letter allowing the growth of the beard, if approved. If a yearly beard exception is granted, a new Student ID will be issued after the beard has been fully grown, and must be renewed every year by repeating the process.
If a request is granted for a temporary or more permanent beard exception the student will be notified by the Honor Code Office; at which time the student will come into the office to complete the necessary paperwork. After completion of this process the student may then grow a full beard according to the guidelines given.
Getting permission from the doctor before growing facial hair seemed absurd, until I thought of Ken Ham’s beard-in-a-can look, or “Captain Porn’stache” Ray Comfort. Maybe those could have been prevented.
Looking at the picture, I wonder whether you need separate approval for a moustache.
And another for bushy eyebrows (I’m guessing it would cover both eyebrows).
The Brigham Young? Well known polygamist? Way to name your university after a complete monster Mormons.
I cannot name a single thing where I could or indeed would prescribe “Grow a Beard”. If you came and asked me (in a few years atleast) for a beard certificate, I would think you were being funny.
The beard certificate thing always confused me, b/c so many LDS prophets had full beards. My dad went to BYU, and he had a birthmark across his face, so he got a beard card. Apparently, from what my dad and BYU-attending siblings tell me, the beard card is only approved if you have a skin condition of some sort — so, in essence, wearing a beard on the BYU campus is akin to admitting you have something “wrong” with your face. It’s such an idiotic rule — the entire point of the beard (to hide an embarrassing skin or medical condition) is rendered moot by the fact that only people with embarrassing skin or medical conditions are allowed to wear them.
@Avicenna — Brigham Young was more than just a complete monster. He’s also the 2nd prophet of the mormon faith. I suppose they could have named it Joseph Smith University, but he’s only a martyred prophet with 14 wives. Brigham Young really epitomizes the mormon faith with a zeal. lol
Joseph Smith had (at least) 34 wives that we know of, including 2 girls age 14. One third of Joseph’s wives were concurrently married and living with with other men. Brigham Young had at least 54 wives. Growing up as an Mormon, I didn’t realize what freaks these people were. As an ex-Mormon, I am embarrassed to have Brigham’s name branded on my diploma.
Funny stuff. I just watched a great episode of This American Life this weekend, where an artist in Utah is looking for men with beards to be models for his painting. But there are not too many bearded Mormons, so he ends up befriending the outsiders; ex-Mormons, homeless, etc. It is actually a touching commentary
I had never heard this before. Even if I could somehow make myself go along with all the other BS that the Mormons do, I think that once I had heard about the beard thing that would be the end of it. What in the name of Joseph Smith is the problem with beards? WTF Mormons?
They are mormons. One should be asking what the big deal is with the magic underwear.
And do you need a permit to wear non-magical undies on BYU campus.
I’ve asked that before. My kid has a friend I call the smoking mormon. He comes to our house to get away from the crazy mormon life. BTW, being as big as a house is cool for Mormons as evidenced by his siblings.
This is probably one of the most absurd rules I have ever seen on a college campus. What do the Mormons have against beards? I had one Mormon friend in high school and he mentioned lots of beliefs I thought were a little odd: no drinking beverages with caffeine, no activity at all on the Sabbath (even reading), and, of course, the special underwear. But I do not recall him saying that Mormons have a prohibition on beards.
The Southern Baptist church I grew up in was an entirely different story though. While not technically forbidden, any kind of facial hair was vigorously discouraged, especially for young men. Facial hair was seen as unChristian, although I never received a satisfactory answer as to why this was so. I mean, you would be hard pressed to find a likeness of Jesus in any form without a beard, mustache, and long hair. A quick glance of Google Images shows that Brigham Young himself often sported a beard, which was especially long in his later years. If facial hair was good enough for Jesus and Young, why is it not good enough for their followers?
Of course, I am glad I am not attending BYU. I like my men with a little bit a facial hair. Makes them look dignified.
I have seen a palestinian comedian who had a mormon father.
Around 18 they asked him if he wanted to go on a mission. His response was “Listen guys, I am palestinian. When we go on missions, we don’t expect to come back.”
I think he was called Dean.
Maybe god only allotted Mormons a small amount of beard to last until the end of the universe, and since Brigham Young and other early Mormons eschewed the razor there is now very little left to go around.
I was wondering about leg-hair growing. Are there rules for that and how are they enforced?
I am surprised that nobody has mentioned the similar rule for women students at BYU.
Namely, that any pubic-hair trimming requires a doctor’s note and six weeks of counseling, prayer, and a personal faculty evaluation.
Of course, a “Full-Brazilian” is still grounds for immediate expulsion.
I wonder how they police this. A friend of a friend went to a school with uniform underpants, and I always wondered the same thing. Surely inspections would be illegal…surely?
Oh, come now! Men who sprout facial hair clearly have a medical condition that needs to be monitored. It’s one of the first signs of testosterone poisoning.
Maybe the Dean cannot grow facial hair of sufficient awesomeness (Sigh! I am jealous of those lovely individuals who can shave. No matter how much I try shaving I end up with a homer simpsonesque permastubble within a few hours.
I would need a note from my doctor. Please excuse Avicenna, he is an indian and is hirsute due to his genetics. If his masculine virility offends you please avert your gaze and think of unsexy thoughts.
Hah, im your opposite. When I shave, I can get a baby smooth cheek for most of the day. If I skip shaving day 2, you hardly notice.
Ive always said that if I grew a full beard that it would make me look ten years older. Because that’s how long it would take.
the Mormon Church is nutz
plain and simple
Damn….what about women shaving armpits? Personally I prefer the ~European~ look. And I just grew a beard…am I allowed to connect a/c in Salt Lake? I can already feel my undies cinching up.
We don’t need to ridicule JUST the Mormons: I believe Pensacola Christian College, and other hardcore fundamentalist colleges, also prohibit beards and facial hair. At the least the LDS put on dances in their wards/churches where “boys and girls” can even touch each other. Just try such libidenous behavior at PCC . . . .
And still, having consentual sex with your GF will get you kicked off BYU basketball team.
Does one need permission to fart or burp? These mormon thingies need to loosen up and get a real life.