Hells Bells on a Christian Campus

Bells chime the sounds of peaceful hymns here at Brigham Young University-Idaho during the Christmas season, but for some the constant chiming is driving them away from the holiday cheer. After 7 weeks of summertime bliss, students return to BYU-Idaho in Rexburg for the fall semester. Students know that September holds some of the last drops of sunshine. As summer begins to fade into the past, its time once again to focus on grades for the future. The semester is full of new school supplies, new construction projects to avoid, and a new tradition: classic bells play hymns as students walk between classes. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints transformed Ricks College into BYUIdaho in 2004. Students at Ricks went through major changes then as the college warped into an official church university. Ricks students lost their football team and picked up intermural sports. The change also meant that students avoided casual dress by leaving shorts, sandals, and facial hair in the past. The dress of teachers also became more professional as women wore dresses, and men wore shirts and ties. Even though most students at Ricks College were LDS, some students were disappointed with the change. Regardless of opposition, the campus and supportive students continued to undergo changes. Similarly BYU-Idaho students continue to experience changes today as the campus and standards continue to match that of big brother, BYU-Provo. BYU-Provo is the churchs first operating university and still stands as Zions pride in division 1. Provo has rung the bells for years from the Centennial Carillon Tower, which has operated now for over 25 years. Even young men and women in the Missionary Training Center

can hear the bells played regularly. For some at BYU-Idaho, the new tradition of the bells brings peaceful thoughts and good memories of their faith, but for others the bells seem to be more of an annoyance. Bells are rung throughout the university, so everyone has had a chance to hear them this semester. Rachel Kempler, a Communication Major in her junior year at BYU-Idaho, has been around for both sides of the story, I think the bells are annoying and unnecessary. Most students didnt get to impute their ideas about the university music or hymns, but all are bound to listen to it whether they like it or not. The bells have rung as early as 8:30 a.m. and have even been heard blocks away from the school. I bet the bells are a huge annoyance to neighbors who arent students. We shouldnt force the noise on anyone else outside the university, says Rachel. With police shutting down parties for loud noise, its unfair to allow neighborhood strength noise levels from the university to proceed at early hours in the morning. With the university keeping this small college town in Rexburg alive, some feel afraid or unable to raise their voice against a school that does so much. BYU-Idaho offers a great education at a great price. Tithing from members all around the world is taken and given toward making the schools tuition affordable. Students here are paying a fraction of what it costs at any other university, and many of them are graduating with degrees debt free. On top of this, the university has offered a scholarship to everyone. Most schools give scholarships based on how you did in high school, but BYU-Idaho has made an offer to everyone based on their grades now. The school has offered quarter, half, and full scholarships to students with a 3.7 GPA or higher. Working hard while youre in school now would be more effective than earning money on your off semester.

Along with the churchs financial assistance comes the churchs walk of life. At this conservative university, students are required to meet the standards of the schools honor code. Everyone signs the honor code previous to their acceptance to the university, so everyone knows what it is. The honor code requires that students meet specific standards in areas of dress, association with the opposite sexand even curfew. Even with these baseline standards, there are still issues that arise that are not defined in the honor code. Within the year access was granted for internet users to visit Facebook during the regular school hours from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. More recently a woman was denied being able to take a test because she was wearing skinny jeans; however, wearing skinny jeans isnt necessarily in violation of the honor code Students are expected to wear modest clothing, and avoid anything that is too tight or revealing. Young adults like Rachel feel the additional stress of getting a degree at a church school. She says, I dont want to be singing hymns in my head while Im walking to my biology class. In a competitive and evolving world, is there a place for liberalism on a Christian campus? A sense of youth, freedom, and liberalism flows in the veins of all BYU-Idaho students. Expressing individualism and identity is expected to be done while maintaining respect for the university standards, but deciding to live those standards in the first place is the first step. The debate of having separation of church and state has been an issue in American history, but here at BYU-Idaho the two are one. Once students are in class, university teachers start with a prayer, and then also teach at a professional academic level. Students are free to create groups, participate in student government, and even protest; however, ultimate decisions are made by the president of the university and church authority, President Clark. Ideas like Rachels can improve campus life when submitted and reviewed. I thought maybe the bells could be used on

devotional day, to remind people of devotional. Ideas for change can be respectful as well as revolutionary from students that want their voice to be heard. For those who sign the honor code lightly and come to the university for social excitement and partying, the ongoing changes can become a nightmare. Just like the change that Ricks College went through, BYU-Idaho students can expect to go through changes every semester. Students that attend with a rebellious attitude will find themselves feeling like an alcoholic in heaven. Both parties will feel uncomfortable, and the fault will fall in the students lap. Students styles and individualism can be maintained along with respect for the university, but unless that is done, for them these possibly peaceful sounds will be hells bells on a Christian campus. Jesse Kempler Word Count: 1,095