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Honor Code Policies and Procedures

“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men . . . . If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
Articles of Faith 1:13
POLICIES
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    Academic Honesty
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    Apostasy
    Personal apostasy occurs when we abandon and forsake the principles of the gospel and willingly pursue a path contrary to those espoused by the Church. When this course is pursued, a student withdraws himself from the Spirit of the Lord, and the blessings of heaven are withheld. Living the Honor Code helps students settle and anchor their lives on principles, precepts, and practices that will build and maintain a testimony of the Savior and His Church. Students who openly oppose the Church, its doctrine, practices, and leadership violate the Honor Code.
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    Church Attendance
    Tithing dollars fund the majority of a student’s education at Ensign College, and admission is reserved primarily for those who adhere to the principles and practices of the Church. The educational experience at the College should augment and enhance righteous worship. Students must attend weekly Church meetings in order to receive an ecclesiastical endorsement from their bishop and continue as a student.
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    Conduct
    All students are required to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Honor Code. In addition, students may not influence or seek to influence others to engage in behavior inconsistent with the Honor Code.

    Students must abstain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, and illegal substances and from the intentional misuse or abuse of any substance. Sexual misconduct; obscene or indecent conduct or expressions; disorderly or disruptive conduct; participation in gambling activities; involvement with pornographic, erotic, indecent, or offensive material; and any other conduct or action inconsistent with the principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Honor Code is not permitted.

    Violations of the Honor Code may result in actions up to and including separation from the college.
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    Dress and Grooming
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    Disruptive Behavior
    Ensign College provides a wholesome academic, cultural, social, and spiritual environment for students. Disruptive behavior is behavior that significantly interferes with the educational process, the educational environment (including housing); or the administrative functions of the College. The determination of whether conduct rises to the level of disruptive behavior is determined on an individual case-by-case basis with reference to the relevant facts and circumstances. Disruptive behavior may include, but is not limited to intimidating, threatening, harassing, or violent behavior; abuse of administrative processes; abuse of College or individual resources; disregard or non-compliance with established policies and procedures or medical advice; or the probable likelihood of engaging in conduct or actions that may endanger the health, safety or welfare of any individual. Disruptive behavior may also include physical acts, oral or written statements, gestures, or expressions that communicate direct or indirect threats of harm or disruption. Disruptive behaviors and actions are inconsistent with the values of Ensign College.
    Electronic Devices: Electronic devices (iPods, cell phones, mp3 players, etc.) should be used in such a way as to not interfere with or disrupt the learning process or environment.
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    Firearms & Weapons
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    Honesty
    Honesty in speech and behavior is a fundamental principle upon which integrity is built. Students’ reputations depend on their ability to speak and act truthfully, and without guile.

    Academic Honesty: Students do their own work and stand on the merits of their own efforts. Crib notes, copying others’ work, plagiarism (defined as portraying another’s words as one’s own), or cheating in any way constitute a breach of the Honor Code. Faculty members impose penalties that affect grades for academic dishonesty. Violations that are deliberate, egregious, and/or repetitive are referred to the Honor Code Office for action that affects the student’s standing with the College.

    Document Forgery: Students are honest and true, even in the face of what may appear to be dire individual situations. Students who forge documents and submit them to campus personnel or offices, or use them for federal financial aid, or to satisfy international student regulations, or for any other College-related businesses or enterprises violate College standards.

    Electronic Devices: Students avoid even the appearance of cheating; therefore the use of electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, digital cameras, etc.) during tests, quizzes, or other restricted academic activities violates the Honor Code.

    Lying to Campus Officials: Statements or actions made with the intent to deceive constitute a lie, undermine trust, and are considered a violation of the Honor Code.
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    Housing
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    Language
    Proper language edifies and lifts the thoughts and character of the person speaking and helps others reach their full eternal potential; therefore, language that takes the name of God in vain, is crude, vulgar, insulting or demeaning is not consistent with the standards of Ensign College students.

    Slurs: The Honor Code helps students value and develop love for others so that students, faculty and staff might be “of one heart and one mind;” therefore, disparaging remarks concerning those of another race, creed, nationality, gender, or situation violate the spirit and intent of the Honor Code.

    Harassment/Intimidation/Hazing: The College strives to foster an environment of mutual respect. Students at Ensign College are expected to treat others in a way that contributes to the well-being of the College’s community and its members. Therefore, all forms of harassment (verbal, physical, mental or sexual), hazing, intimidation, exploitation, or behavior that threaten or endanger the health and safety of others are in violation of the honor code and contrary to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Such behavior will subject any participants to disciplinary sanction as well as possible criminal action.
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    Laws of the Land
    Students who obey the Honor Code have no need to break the laws of the land; therefore, any violation of local, state, or federal laws may result in legal proceedings and will bring appropriate action by the College. Ensign College honors and sustains the law and will not intercede for students who break the law. Areas of particular concern include possession of illegal drugs, possession of tobacco for those under 19, underage drinking, furnishing or supplying alcohol to a minor (under 21), delinquency, and vandalism.
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    Network Misuse
    Through the resources of tithing and student tuition, the Church provides technological resources to prepare students to provide for their families and be in a position to serve in the Church. To misuse the computer network for personal gain, degrading communication, disruption of the educational process, or other inappropriate uses violates the spirit of the Honor Code.
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    Virtuous Living
    Virtuous living purifies students and protects them from the sins of the world. Virtuous students maintain self respect and remain close to the Spirit. Students who engage in vulgar or demeaning language, view or listen to degrading media, engage in sexual relations outside the bonds of marriage, or pursue activities that are not wholesome violate the spirit of the Honor Code. Virtuous living means having strength to perform regular tasks such as prayer, consistent study of the scriptures, attending church meetings, partaking of the sacrament, keeping the Sabbath day holy, fasting, timely payment of financial obligations, paying an honest tithe, adherence to the Word of Wisdom, and faithful observance of the law of chastity.

    Law of Chastity: The law of chastity is a protection against the forces of evil and a preparation for eternal marriage and family. The law of chastity includes having virtuous and holy thoughts, emotions, desires and behavior that leads to sexual purity. As students live the law of chastity the Lord’s richest blessings of protection and preparation will be theirs. Students who violate the law of chastity drive away the Spirit from themselves and affect those around them.

    Pornography: Pornography is defined as any immodest, unchaste, vulgar, suggestive, offensive, or inappropriate material that appeals to prurient interests, is designed to sexually arouse, or objectifies people. Participation in any form of pornography drives away the Spirit and negates a student’s contributions to the Ensign College learning community. Such material may be in many forms, including printed text, photographs, live persons, internet, books, magazines, movies, videos, television, electronic images, inappropriate telephone conversations, music, and theatrical presentations.

    Lewdness: Talk or behavior that centers on the tawdry and/or unchaste damages a person’s sensitivity to the Spirit. It dirties the mind and sows the first seeds of immorality. Such behavior is inconsistent with the standards of the Honor Code. Students should not participate in vulgar speech and expression nor speak casually of sexual immorality.

    Necking/Petting: Necking and petting includes passionate kissing, lying on top of each other, and touching the private, sacred parts of another person’s body, with or without clothing. Intimate contact and passionate kissing arouse powerful emotions that must be expressed only in marriage. For those students who are single and dating, careful planning and constructive activities help prevent situations that lead to inappropriate physical contact. Avoid sexual thoughts and discussions. Do not allow anyone to engage in inappropriate physical contact with you. Do not arouse those emotions in your own body.

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