Spiritual Environment

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsors Ricks College to assist students towards the ultimate goal of a righteous life: exaltation and eternal life. Pursuing truth, learning obedience, and becoming God-like are important goals for any student attending Ricks College. To achieve these goals, a SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENT on the campus MUST exist. Truly, the Spirit of Ricks College should be the presence of the Spirit of the Lord.

Ricks College exists to provide a spiritual environment for your educational endeavors. The spiritual environment at Ricks will enhance all of your educational and social experiences while you earn an academic degree.

To foster this spiritual environment on the campus and to enhance your opportunity to feel the Spirit of the Lord, certain advantages exist at Ricks which other state and private colleges and universities don't offer. These advantages include:
(1) Religious instruction where one can learn the principles of eternal life,
(2) The Code of Honor and the dress and grooming standards which reinforce the principles of the gospel in our daily lives, and
(3) Established Campus Wards and Stakes which provide weekly worship and social experiences.

As you read through each of the following sections, you will recognize the importance of your personal adherence to the guidelines outlined below. These guidelines will enable you and your fellow students to truly enjoy the Spirit of the Lord and make the "Spirit of Ricks College" something special.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

To help students strive toward the goals of spirituality and righteousness, a variety of religion courses are provided each semester. These courses allow students the opportunity to study the doctrines and history of the scripture texts in a spiritual atmosphere. As students apply themselves and live the commandments in their personal lives, they will assist in strengthening the spiritual environment of the campus.

Religion courses which are available each semester include:
Rel 121, 122 Introduction to the Book of Mormon and Its Teachings
Rel 130 Missionary Preparation
Rel 201, 202 The Old Testament
Rel 211, 212 The New Testament
Rel 215 Fundamentals of Scripture Study
Rel 224, 225 The Doctrine and Covenants
Rel 227 The Pearl of Great Price
Rel 231 Doctrines of the Gospel
Rel 233 Teachings of the Living Prophets
Rel 241, 242 Latter-day History and Doctrine
Rel 261 Introduction to Family History
Rel 264 Family History Research

Religion Requirement
To help students arrange their academic schedules and encourage their full participation in the religion courses available, the following policies govern enrollment in religion courses: students not registered for a religion course during Fall or Winter Semesters without an approved waiver, or students registered for a religion class who do not earn a passing grade, will not be permitted to continue enrollment at Ricks until they have completed at least one semester at another educational institution.

THE DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE

The Dean of Students Office assists students, faculty, staff and administration in preserving the spiritual atmosphere of Ricks so students are able to achieve their academic goals in a good setting. Their primary role is to help all Ricks students understand the value of the campus spiritual environment and how this is achieved through living the Code of Honor and dress and grooming standards. The Dean of Students Office while serving as guardian of the institutional values encourages the campus community to assist by encouraging each other to keep their personal commitment.

Students found in violation of their commitment to the Code of Honor or dress and grooming standards are not contributing to the environment in a positive manner and will be subject to discipline or dismissal.

CODE OF HONOR

"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." - Thirteenth Article of Faith

Ricks College exists to provide a college education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That atmosphere is preserved through commitment to appropriate conduct that reflects those ideals and principles.

As a matter of personal commitment, members of the Ricks College community, (students, faculty, staff and administrators), seek to demonstrate in daily living those moral virtues encompassed in the gospel of Jesus Christ and will
-- Be honest
-- Live a chaste and virtuous life
-- Obey the law....including college regulations
-- Use clean language and exemplify modesty and cleanliness
-- Respect the rights of others
-- Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee and drugs
-- Help others fulfill their responsibilities under the Code of Honor
-- Participate regularly in church services
-- Observe college dress and grooming standards

DRESS AND GROOMING STANDARDS

The dress and grooming of both men and women should always be modest , neat and clean and consistent with the values and principles of Ricks College and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Modesty and cleanliness are important values that reflect personal dignity and integrity, through which members of the Ricks College community represent the principles and standards of the Church. The members of that community commit themselves to observe the following standards which reflect the direction of the Ricks College Board of Trustees and the Church publication “For the Strength of Youth”.

Good taste, common sense, discretion, consideration and high moral standards are the watchwords for dress and grooming. Flagrant behavior or extreme dress and grooming at any time or in any place may result in a review of the individual’s understanding of the expected behavior or grooming. Clothing is to be modest in fabric, fit and style and appropriate for the occasion. A clean and well-cared-for appearance is to be maintained. Men’s and women’s dress should be reflective of their gender, while excessive or extreme styles should be avoided. For women, wardrobe selection should reflect modesty and femininity becoming a Latter-day Saint woman. Hairstyles are to be clean and neat and reflect femininity. For men, clothing should reflect good taste and masculinity becoming a priesthood bearer. Hair is to be trimmed above the collar, leaving ears uncovered. Sideburns are to be kept above the bottom of the ear. If worn, mustaches are to be neatly trimmed and may not extend beyond or below the corner of the mouth; beards are not acceptable.

The following supplemental information is provided to aid students, staff, faculty and administrators in determining appropriate from inappropriate attire and grooming. Because of the constant change in dress and grooming styles, some trends, fads or fashions common in the world may be determined inappropriate. The Dean of Students, after consulting with his staff and the executive staff, may determine that a specific style or fad is inappropriate and thereby is unacceptable at Ricks.

Failure to comply with the Code of Honor or dress and grooming standards could result in dismissal from Ricks College.

Dress and Grooming for Women

Classroom Attire and Appearance:

Appropriate
-Dresses, skorts, skirts and blouses or sweaters
-Modest pants, slacks or jeans
-Sweatshirts that are dressy

Inappropriate
-Bib overalls (work style)
-Caps may not be worn in class
-Clothing is inappropriate when it: is above the knee, has slits above the knee, is backless or low cut, is mini or short
-Excessive ear piercing, and all other body piercing
-Hair: extreme styles or colorations
-Longjohns or underwear styles
-Low-cut or revealing necklines
-Patched, faded, frayed, torn or tight, formfitting clothing
-Shorts of any length
-Suggestive or vulgar wording or pictures on apparel
-Sweatsuits or PE-type clothing
-Tank tops or sloppy tops
-Thongs

Dress and Grooming for Men

Classroom Attire and Appearance:

Appropriate
-Dress shirts, shirts with collars and dressy sports shirts
-Jeans that are neat and clean
-Slacks or pants
-Sport coats, blazers and ties
-Sweaters
-Sweatshirts that are dressy

Inappropriate
-Beards (no “5 o’clock shadow”)
-Bib overalls (work style)
-Caps may not be worn in class
-Earrings and all other body piercing
-Grubby attire
-Hair: no ponytails or pigtails, braids, designs, carvings, complete shaving or extreme styles or colorations
-Head bands or bandannas
-Immodest attire or appearance
-Patched, faded, frayed, torn or tight, formfitting clothing
-Shorts of any length-Sweatsuits or P.E.- type clothing
-Suggestive or vulgar wording or pictures on apparel
-Tank tops
-Thongs

Dress Standards for Men and Women

Athletic and Outdoor Events Attire:
Dress standards for each event will be specified prior to the event. If no standard is specified, the minimum standard will be classroom attire. Modest length shorts may be worn at specified outdoor athletic and recreational events but are otherwise not acceptable campus attire. Modest casual attire may be worn at specified indoor athletic or recreational events.

Concert and Drama Attire:
The minimum standard will be classroom attire. Care should be given to ensure that your dress and appearance are compatible with the event you are attending. Casual dress or clothing will not be permitted.

Campus Dance Attire:
Classroom attire is appropriate for regular weekly dances held on campus. Formal and semiformal attire for men includes dress suits (or dress slacks and sport coats) with ties and dress shoes. For women, Sunday dresses or modest formals that cover the shoulders are acceptable. NO spaghetti straps, low-cut or immodest necklines, open backs, sheer or unlined transparent material will be permitted. Special theme dances will specify appropriate dress. Modest dress will be emphasized at all dances.

Procedures and processes for enforcement and appeals are outlined in the R Book.

HOUSING GUIDELINES/LIVING STANDARDS

All Ricks college single students must live in approved housing or at home and are expected to abide by the following policies regarding curfew hours and guests of the opposite sex. See the R-Book Student Handbook for a complete listing of the current approved housing rules and regulations.

Hours

During the regular fall and winter semesters students should be in by 11 p.m. on nights preceding a school day and 1 a.m. on nights not preceding a school day. During the three summer terms, curfew changes to midnight on nights preceding school days. Visitors, of the opposite sex are to be out of the apartment one hour before curfew. When attending college functions that end later than established curfew hours, such as plays and concerts, students should be in within 30 minutes after the event is over.

Visitation Guidelines (By the Opposite Sex)

Men and women may visit in apartments of the opposite sex beginning at 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, noon on Saturday and after church on Sunday extending until one hour before curfew. Visitors need to be in compliance with the College dress standards and the following guidelines:
(a) There should always be at least three people in an apartment being visited by a member of the opposite sex.
(b) Drapes must be left open during the visit.
(c) Visitors of the opposite sex are not allowed in bedrooms at any time.
(d) Visitors must have the approval of the roommates before being allowed in the apartment.

STUDENT WARDS AND STAKES

The opportunity to be a member of and to participate in a student ward and stake is one of the greatest advantages Ricks College offers its students. Sunday meetings, Monday Night Family Home Evenings and Tuesday Activity Nights contribute to the spiritual and social growth of each student. Progress towards spirituality and righteousness is greatly enhanced through participation in the Sacrament, Priesthood, and auxiliary meetings provided each week.

The foremost mission of Ricks College is to build testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and encourage living its principles. Since many more students want to attend Ricks College than can be accommodated, participation in church meetings is a requirement for continued enrollment. Students who fail to take advantage of this important dimension of the spiritual environment of Ricks College may forfeit their Bishop's endorsement so that another deserving student may attend.

ŠRicks College 1998