posted on October 18, 2008 09:18:11 AM new
Shirtless men? How disgusting??
BYU yanks calendar maker's diploma
By Jennifer Dobner
The Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 10/18/2008 01:30:08 AM MDT
The Las Vegas man behind a calendar featuring shirtless returned Mormon missionaries has had his diploma yanked by the church-owned Brigham Young University.
Chad Hardy said he finished his last four units for graduation in June. On Aug. 15, he crossed the stage with other graduates during ceremonies at the Provo school.
In between, he was excommunicated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A Sept. 30 letter from BYU Executive Director of Student Academic & Advisement Services Norman B. Finlinson states that a nonacademic hold was placed on Hardy's record after the university learned of the excommunication.
''If in the future you are reinstated as a member of the church in good standing, you are invited to contact my office regarding your possible eligibility for the awarding of a degree,'' Finlinson wrote.
Hardy said he'll challenge BYU's position.
''I intend to fight this tooth-and-nail,'' the 31-year-old entrepreneur said.
Hardy was excommunicated July 13 by a council of Las Vegas-based church leaders. Officially, the loss of membership was for conduct unbecoming a church member. The charges were rooted in his failure to pay tithing, a lapse in other religious obligations and, according to a senior church elder, his involvement with the 2008 ''Men on a Mission'' calendar.
--
_____________________
posted on October 18, 2008 09:26:16 AM new
I'm curious whether all BYU students have to be Mormons in good standing. If not, what would happen to a "gentile" student who made the same calendar?
If BYU is a private institution with clearly spelled out expectations for behavior, I don't think this kid's got much of a chance.
I'm not endorsing their actions mind you. It's despicable.
posted on October 18, 2008 09:32:54 AM new
I did find this on Chad Hardy's blog, so maybe he has a chance.
BYU is a private school, and they make and break their own rules. However, they ARE accredited, which allows them to receive federal money for its students to go the school there. They must abide by ethical standards to remain accredited. This is why they had to do away with segregation at their schools.
posted on October 18, 2008 11:20:27 PM new
Our grown kids are asking what happened to the returned missionaries who consented to BE in the calendar, or are they off limits?!
