BYU-Idaho chops the ‘man-bun’

REXBURG — Brigham Young University-Idaho is enforcing a ban against students with a hairstyle commonly known as the “man-bun.”

The university, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, requires its students to follow a strict Honor Code, which includes dress and grooming standards. These standards prohibit male students from growing long hair or having beards.

A “man-bun” is typically worn with hair shaved on the sides of the head with a top-knot worn in the middle.

“We would consider the ‘man-bun’ to be an extreme hairstyle,” Student Honor Administrator Tyler Barton said. “It’s just something that deviates from the norm.”

Barton said any hairstyle that is different or uncommon would fall under this same category, therefore receiving the same action.

“As part of the dress and grooming code, we commit to avoid extreme hairstyles,” Student Services Vice President Kevin Miyasaki said. “A ‘man-bun’ would be considered not consistent with this standard.”

Students who violate the dress and honor code can be censured by the university and prevented from taking tests or participating in activities.

Anita McPherson, a testing assistant at the BYU-Idaho Testing Center, said last semester, both male and female students who came into the testing center wearing this particular hairstyle were allowed to take a test, but both were reported to the Student Honor Office.

Miyasaki said the Testing Center’s goal with every student who is not compliant with the dress and grooming standards is to teach, clarify and promise them blessings for obedience.

“The Testing Center is careful to not turn away students and attempts to remedy the situation,” Miyasaki said.

Marivi Lugo, a junior studying communication, said she defends the Honor Code and its stance against extreme hairstyles such as the “man-bun.”

“I think there’s a difference between being stylish and appropriate,” Lugo said. “We have an honor code for a reason, and if we don’t have people enforcing it, then what’s the point of the Honor Code?”

Miyasaki said the Honor Code office is not alone in enforcing the standards.

“All employees and students at BYU-Idaho are obligated under the Honor Code to ‘encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code,’” Miyasaki said. “It is not the Testing Center or the Student Honor Office’s responsibility alone to help students, but we all have a shared responsibility.”

More information on the Honor Code and what it entails can be found on LDS Church Education System Honor Code webpage.

This article was originally published in the BYU-Idaho Scroll. It is used here with permission.