Good for him.
And I can’t understand why anyone would enroll at BYU.

His shame will cover him in eternity, if he does not repent. And shame on those who cooperate with him in the production of these sexualized calendars. This is not a trivial thing.

I hope he wins his diploma he worked for. When I see a man walking down the street without a shirt or wearing short shorts I never say, “oh look at the half-naked man”. Why do churches insist on false ideas to make them holy?

I can understand why people would enroll at BYU. I go to law school and those kids are smart. I’ll be sending my kids there.

First off, he deserves the degree/diploma that he WORKED for…it isn’t an honorary degree,and he paid good money to that institution. Next what happens to the men who posed for those calendars? Do they get pushed out of the church too…no one forced them to pose. If all they have off is their shirts…what’s the problem? Do all Mormon men wear their shirts when they swim? What a bunch of bull about some calendars!!!
Will the Mormon women also get kicked out for posing for his upcoming calendar….sounds like the dark ages.

Taylor odds are you’ll “send” your kids where they want to go, but good for you for planning to educate your kids.

People outside of the church with their world views certainly would support this young man in their efforts to destroy the Mormon Church. I think the church desires credit for standing up to their moral standards.

Not all Mormons are as stuffy as the folks wanting to punish this guy. My brother-in-law didn’t marry a Mormon…my sister continues to be a Methodist as does one of their 2 daughters. The other daughter is a Mormon…the girls were allowed to choose. Both girls happy with their decisions. Anyhow I think he’d be laughing at all this fuss.

It’s a real stretch seeing how a calendar with men without shirts, etc. could destroy the Mormon Church.

You’re right, Henrietta,how in the world is a calendar going to “destroy” the LDS church? It’s not. If it was that easy, it would already be gone. Besides, the guys are good looking…found it on Google! It might encourage a few women to join the Mormon just to get a look at the Dudes! Of course they’d have to be relatively submissive….my sister isn’t…I think that is one reason my brother-in-law married a non-Mormon!

Personally, I think it quite shallow to yank his diploma. After all, he spent the money to get it and obviously earned it. Is the LDS Church this fragile that a calender can hurt their church or does it have to do with the LDS’s leadership trying to make a point at his expense? The LDS leadership has always been rather heavy handed in dealing with people, members or otherwise, simply review their history, examples: LDS historians who don’t teach or support the “official” dogma but rather seek to show the honest history of the church.
Give the diploma back to Mr. Hardy and get over yourselves.

I knew Chad before all of this went down. Let’s just say that he probably wasn’t excommunicated for the calendar; there was definitely some other wild stuff going on in his life….

I have two degrees from BYU. At BOTH graduation ceremonies (1985 and 1987) I was handed an empty diploma holder. BYU ALWAYS snail mails diplomas a few months after graduation ceremonies. This is standard practice and has been for as long as I know. All students are subjected to the same review during the interim. Records are checked to make certain that the student has complied with the Honor Code. If there is a violation then the diploma is withheld temporarily or permanently. All students are aware of this policy. The policy is applied to all students. You can’t get into BYU or stay there unless you agree to abide by the Honor Code. BYU is being consistent, fair and equitable. This man has no reason to complain.

“You can’t get into BYU or stay there unless you agree to abide by the Honor Code.”
There are degrees of punishment that could be meted out. To deny the degree he’s worked and presumably paid for over something so trifling makes me wonder again why anyone would enroll there.

When you enroll at BYU, you agree to abide by the honor code. If you do not, your degree can be withheld. It would be unethical for BYU to issue a degree to someone they knew seriously violated that honor code. If this were an athlete getting kicked off a team, many people would be praising BYU for sticking by their guns.
“A campaign against intolerance” ????? Tell me, what racial or ethnic minority group does Hardy belong to? Intolerance of his behavior? Yes! When will Americans realize that tolerance and racial equality has nothing to do with condoning each others’ immoral actions.
The decision was moral and ethical. Good luck on your lawsuit Hardy – I hope you blow a lot of money.

I was not for BYU’s position on this matter. But after thinking about it a little more, I can understand the reason for BUY’s decision. Yes, it does make sense that the university doesn’t grant him his degree because he really didn’t fulfill all of the requirements. One of those requirements has to do with the honor code. He knew this when he enrolled. He knew that they were some of the requirements in order to graduate. If he latter changed his mind about that, then he should have transferred out of BYU and go to another university that doesn’t have that requirement. The only thing that still bothers me, though, is the academic aspect of it. Morals and one thing, academics another. But if YOU CHOSE to go to a church school, then you have to abide by their requirements. It was HIS CHOICE. BYU or the church didn’t make him go there. And BYU doesn’t want to start diluting there agenda and little by little become like so many other universities.

I was not for BYU’s position on this matter. But after thinking about it a little more, I can understand the reason for BUY’s decision. Yes, it does make sense that the university doesn’t grant him his degree because he really didn’t fulfill all of the requirements. One of those requirements has to do with the honor code. He knew this when he enrolled. He knew that they were some of the requirements in order to graduate. If he latter changed his mind about that, then he should have transferred out of BYU and go to another university that doesn’t have that requirement. The only thing that still bothers me, though, is the academic aspect of it. Morals and one thing, academics another. But if YOU CHOSE to go to a church school, then you have to abide by their requirements. It was HIS CHOICE. BYU or the church didn’t make him go there. And BYU doesn’t want to start diluting there agenda and little by little become like so many other universities.

Since the honor code was mentioned, i figured that it should be available to read:
Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, Brigham Young University-Idaho, and LDS Business College exist to provide an education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That atmosphere is created and preserved through commitment to conduct that reflects those ideals and principles. Members of the faculty, administration, staff, and student body at BYU, BYU-H, BYU-I, and LDSBC are selected and retained from among individuals who voluntarily live the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Observance of such is a specific condition of employment and admission. Those individuals who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are also expected to maintain the same standards of conduct, except church attendance. All who represent BYU, BYU-H, BYU-I, and LDSBC are to maintain the highest standards of honor, integrity, morality, and consideration of others in personal behavior. By accepting appointment on the faculty, continuing in employment, or continuing class enrollment, individuals evidence their commitment to observe the Honor Code standards approved by the Board of Trustees “at all times and . . . in all places.” (Mosiah 18:9) 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) As a matter of personal commitment, students, faculty, and staff of Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, Brigham Young University-Idaho, and LDS Business College seek to demonstrate in daily living on and off campus those moral virtues encompassed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and will Be honest Observe Dress and Grooming Standards
Obey the law and all campus policies Participate regularly in church services
Live a chaste and virtuous life Use clean language
Respect others
Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and substance abuse
Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code
Specific Policies Embodied in the Honor Code Specific policies embodied in the Honor Code include (1) the Academic Honesty Policy, (2) the Dress and Grooming Standards, (3) the Residential Living Standards, and (4) the Continuing Student Ecclesiastical Endorsement Requirement. Academic Honesty Policy BYU students should seek to be totally honest in their dealings with others. They should complete their own work and be evaluated based upon that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct. Students are responsible not only to adhere to the Honor Code requirement to be honest but also to assist other students in fulfilling their commitment to be honest. (complete version of the Academic Honesty Policy available at honorcode.byu.edu) Applicable Actions for the University The university may elect to place an affected student on probation or to suspend or dismiss the student and to place a temporary or permanent notation on the student’s permanent academic transcript that he or she was suspended or dismissed due to academic misconduct. The university may report an incident of academic misconduct to appropriate law enforcement officials and may prosecute an affected student if the act in question involves the commission of a crime (e.g., breaking into an office or building, stealing an examination, etc.). Honor Code Office Involvement The Honor Code Office will maintain a record of all violations of the Academic Honesty Policy reported to it by the faculty. If the occurrence is sufficiently egregious or if a pattern of dishonesty or misconduct is discovered, the Honor Code Office may take additional action on behalf of the university based upon the nature of the infraction(s). The Honor Code Office, in consultation with the involved academic personnel, including the Associate Academic Vice President-Undergraduate Studies, may determine to place a student on probation or to recommend suspension or dismissal from the university for academic dishonesty and other forms of academic misconduct. Dress and Grooming Standards The dress and grooming of both men and women should always be modest, neat and clean, consistent with the dignity adherent to representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any of its institutions of higher learning. Modesty and cleanliness are important values that reflect personal dignity and integrity, through which students, staff, and faculty represent the principles and standards of the Church. Members of the BYU community commit themselves to observe these standards which reflect the direction given by the Board of Trustees and the Church publication, For the Strength of Youth. The Dress and Grooming Standards are as follows: Men – A clean and well-cared-for appearance should be maintained. Clothing is inappropriate when it is sleeveless, revealing, or form fitting. Shorts must be knee length or longer. Hairstyles should be clean and neat, avoiding extreme styles or colors, and trimmed above the collar leaving the ear uncovered. Sideburns should not extend below the earlobe or on to the cheek. If worn, moustaches should be neatly trimmed and may not extend beyond or below the corners of the mouth. Men are expected to be clean shaven; beards are not acceptable. Earrings and other body piercing are not acceptable. Shoes should be worn in all public campus areas. Women – A clean and well-cared-for appearance should be maintained. Clothing is inappropriate when it is sleeveless, strapless, backless, or revealing; has slits above the knee; or is form fitting. Dresses, skirts, and shorts must be knee length or longer. Hairstyles should be clean and neat, avoiding extremes in styles and colors. Excessive ear piercing (more than one per ear) and all other body piercing are not acceptable. Shoes should be worn in all public campus areas. Residential Living Standards As stated in its Code of Honor, Brigham Young University is committed to providing a learning atmosphere consistent with the principles of the Church. The university is likewise committed to creating such an atmosphere for students residing on and off campus. To achieve this, BYU has established living standards to help students learn some of the high ideals and principles of behavior expected at Brigham Young University. The university requires all students to adhere to the following applicable standards. Campus Visiting Hours Helaman Halls Visitors of the opposite sex are permitted in the lobbies but not in the bedroom area, except during an established open house or home evening time, at which times room doors must remain open. Lobby visiting hours begin after 8 a.m. and extend until midnight Monday through Thursday and Saturday. On Friday night, lobby visiting hours extend until 1:30 a.m. Sunday visiting hours begin after noon and extend until midnight.Heritage Halls Visitors of the opposite sex are permitted in the lobbies and apartment kitchens but not in bedrooms or bathrooms. Lobby visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday through Thursday. Lobby visiting hours extend until 1:30 a.m. on Friday. Apartment visiting hours are from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Apartment visiting hours extend until midnight on Friday and Saturday.Off-Campus, Wyview Park, Foreign Language Student Residence Visitors of the opposite sex are permitted in living rooms and kitchens but not in bedrooms in off-campus living units. The use of the bathroom area by members of the opposite sex is not appropriate unless emergency or civility dictate otherwise; and then only if the safety, privacy and sensitivity of other residents are not jeopardized. Visiting hours may begin at 9 a.m. and extend until midnight. Friday night visiting hours may extend until 1:30 a.m. Landlords may establish a shorter visiting period if proper notice is given to residents. This policy applies to all housing units occupied by single students.Conduct All students shall be required to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the BYU Honor Code. Furthermore, all students are required to abstain from possessing, serving, or consuming alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, or harmful drugs. Involvement with gambling; pornographic, erotic, or indecent material; disorderly, obscene, or indecent conduct or expressions; or with other offensive materials, expressions, or conduct or disruption of the peace that, in the sole discretion and judgment of the university, is inconsistent with the principles of the Church and the BYU Honor Code is not permitted in student housing. All guests of students must comply with the Residential Living Standards while on the premises of university-approved housing. All students are required to know the Dress and Grooming Standards and abide by them. (The standards expressed above apply to students at all times whether on or off campus.)
source: http://honorcode.byu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3585&Itemid=4643

His story is about to run out of road, how will he sell his silly calendars then?

They should refund the thousands of dollars he spent at the place then or give him the piece of paper he EARNED. Maybe he drank a caffinated soda or something…after all that is against the rules too!

You’re all forgetting a few things: he never went to a class on campus, and he had completed his degree work before the brouhaha hit the fan. What is happening in the real world is that BYU (or YBU?, as it’s better known) is being seen as no more than a buffoon of a not-so-academic institution. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of graduates now who are hiding their alma mater on their resumes because BYU is now seen as nothing more than a joke.
If BYU didn’t want the controversy to come to it, the “powers that be” should have given Mr. Hardy the degree he earned from home (yes, he never stepped on the campus, so the on-campus rules don’t apply) and be done with it. Because they didn’t, this is how the school will be seen.

I keep hearing how he completed his degree before this happened. That simply is not accurate. His degree was withheld for matters OTHER THAN this calendar. He is trying to paint it as a response to the calendar, but there are many more issues at stake.
Do your research, then complain.

Like any government would complain about marihuana and cocaine (because they cannot tax it) the mormon church is probably opening their big mouths just because they are not getting the popular 10% of the fortune that Hardy is making of its brilliant ideas. Yes, it s a “BOOM” world wide. tell me, who wouldn’t love to have a piece of a hott mormon half dressed in their wall?the more they stir the pot, the more calendar my friend sells! Go Hardy, we have to get this to Larry King live!

In case people have forgotten-
-BYU is a private, religious school funded largely by tithing donations of church members.
-BYU has an Honor Code that all students agree to abide by.
-Neither the Church nor BYU comments on excommunications or reasons therefor, maintaining confidentiality. This allows the person who is excommunicated to spin it to his or her advantage without rebuttal. The press, the anti-Mormons, and the anti-BYU folks love this and run with it with all they’ve got. It is a mistake to assume that Hardy’s version of the story is the only version; after all, he will tell the story that he thinks will get him the most attention and will leave out other things that may place him in a worse light (even to the press, the anti-Mormons, and the anti-BYUers).
-Anyone who attends or takes courses from BYU does so of his or her own choice; each is free to attend or take courses from any school he or she wishes, including those schools that don’t care about an honor code or about actively doing things that run against the religious institution that sponsors the school.
-Doing things that are actively and aggressively against the sponsoring religious institution are indicative of Hardy’s intent and character in this whole story.
-Hardy talks now about this being a matter of principle. The principle appears to be a principle of Hardy milking this for all he’s got. He uses every opportunity to get more press, to get attention, to sell more, to create controversy, and to make money. So far it seems to be working, but this is actually getting to be a boring manipulation that will fade away.

I think I read that Hardy started his calendar for open conversation about the Mormon Religion, and hoped that they would see the regimented religon they encourage. Well, it has brought many things out in public that we Christians who have only one Bible, and not one that has found plates on some hill in NY, to see that they are very extreme in just about everything. However, that is their choice and if they want to be controlled with every single-solitary-rule set out to them by their elders that is their choice also. I thank God nobody in my family was ever a Morman. When they start dictating to our govenment about things such as Prop 8 then America has to oppose their religon in reference to our American Constitution and the people in America who do not believe as they do. It is interesting to see their clothing requirements, and their grooming requirements. Do naturally bright red heads have to dull out their hair color in order to get their diplomas? Do they have special swimsuits to cover their sinful bodies?

He knows what the church’s standards are and what BYUs code of conduct is. Its like moving next to the airport and then complaining about the news. You know what you were getting yourself into. Now, you pay the price for going ahead anyway. Its not unfair, its called LIFE.

the Mormons have to keep members under their thumbs to stop them from learning the truth.who would want a degree from a false based crap university.

I am disappointed. Other than facts coming from “Your Name,” the posts here seem to be hostile, uninformed comments from those who are generally ignorant about the teachings of the LDS church. I thought BeliefNet catered to a slighty more intelligent crowd. Guess I was wrong.
Some time ago, Mr. Hardy vowed to live by the standards of BYU, a private institution which has every legal right to maintain standards they expect of their students. Somewhere along the line, Mr. Hardy had a change of heart. I do not fault him for this. People change their minds about their beliefs from time to time. I know I have. But for Mr. Hardy to expect the church to stand by and allow him to violate the agreement he made is ridiculous.
Your Name had it right. Mr. Hardy is in this for the publicity. That can be the only rational purpose, because everyone knows that you can sue the LDS church time and time and time again – and the only result you will have is that you will make a lawyer a little wealthier. You won’t get a thing.
Oh, a couple other comments. The LDS church did not dictate anything to anyone about Prop 8. Members of the church were active in the Prop 8 campaign. The facts have been in for some time – African Americans and Hispanics are the ones who really swung the vote on Prop 8.

Reason at last, and a relief from the mob mentality often displayed here.

you know i can’t help but think. that there are a lot of people in this world that are truly lost & miss led. mormon or not i would like to belive we are all children of god christans!!!!!
right? so i hope that every one that reads this will stop & ask themself how would jesus handle some one or some thing like this?
i myself think that he may say get behind me santen! or just maybe he would simply look to yhe heavens & say father forgive them for they know not what do. we need not feed in to bad or negitive because it only beads that what it is. all i can say is do what jesus would do & pray for those who can not pray for themself.
oh and one more thing if you truly don’t know what it is that you should do..jesus said just ask me & i will tell you! but only those that are true in heart will hear him.
god bless every one.

“i would like to belive we are all children of god christans!!!!! right?”
Nope, and a lot of Christians have reasonable doubts that Mormons are Christians. I’m not saying they are wronger than Christians, just that they are pretty clearly wrong in different ways than Christians.
But both are wrong in taking themselves too seriously sometimes.
Now, having scanned that honor code (thanks for providing it Gwyddion) I still don’t understand why anyone would enroll at BYU knowing they could do their work and pay their fees for four (or five or six) years and have someone decide at the last minute they didn’t satisfy everything in that honor code so they don’t get their degree. There are, after all, a lot of outstanding universities in America, Canada and the world. I think there are some decent alternatives in Utah.

“I still don’t understand why anyone would enroll at BYU knowing they could do their work and pay their fees for four (or five or six) years and have someone decide at the last minute they didn’t satisfy everything in that honor code so they don’t get their degree.”
Money does not give you the right to break the rules and weather or not you agree with them or not, he agreed to live by them at least until he got that paper in his hand.
“The Mormon church is probably opening their big mouths just because they are not getting the popular 10% of the fortune that Hardy is making of its brilliant ideas.”
What is so “brilliant” about this idea? It’s not original. In fact, You could go to any calendar store and see whole sections dedicated to “beefcakes and babes”. I think the idea was completely idiotic because he thought he could get the free advertising by putting Mormon in the name without any consequences
Previous posts suggest Mr Hardy might be a “Van Wilder” wannabe. Mabey this ordeal will teach him the best lesson of this or any other school; actions have consequences

Mr Hardy knows full well the standards of the Church and the University. He chose to violate and go against those standards and now must face the consequences! BYU is one of the finest Universities in the country. There are a few who see differently because they cannot or will not conform to the standards of deciency it requires! I for one am proud of the Church and BYU for upholding the standards in a world where standards are broken at a whim with few consequences.
To you Mr. Hardy, I say come home, and lay your weapons of disgrace down, and acknowledge your Heavenly Father and His love for you. Don’t compromise your blessings in eternity any further, and don’t disgrace your mother and father further who love you and desire you to fill a seat at the table in eternity…..don’t be left out because your behavior has colored your vision and caused you to stray. You are a child of God, and He loves you and will forgive you…..remember Paul…..one of the great Apostles who thought persecuting the Christians was right.

In a society of declining standards, especially at institutions of higher learning (I am thinking of coed housing and the sexual immorality that followed and the gross increase in heavy alcohol consumption and even drug use.) it is very refreshing to see an institution hold on to its standards.

Well a person who wants to live in accordance with all the myriad rules in that code could do so anywhere. Granted there might be more temptations elsewhere, I don’t know what it’s like at BYU. But if they (or perhaps their parents) want to commit themselves to trying to obey all those rules for four years and don’t think their own willpower or fear of a heavenly judging witness will bring them to keep the commitment they could add fear of human witnesses.
But in so doing they also get the possibility they’ll see the error of some of those rules within four years and want to act differently, and the possibility they’ll run afoul of some official who doesn’t like something about them.
I think it would be a risky choice to choose BYU.

“….all children of god Christians” ? That would be NO! I’m a product of my parents, and my children are a product of their father and me. So you can -4 on the “all children” tote board.
Still hold that if the man paid for that education…then he should get either his money back or his “paper”. I’m sure the LDS folks have plenty to allow the return of his tuition! Then they can formally boot his tush out of the LDS for being a bad child of heavenly dad. Put in the time and money and get the paper. The heck with the 5000 rules..he paid those folks.
He made a calendar….and the guys had their shirts off…and their magic undershirts. That’s the problem…

** “I think it would be a risky choice to choose BYU.” **
And yet, BYU has the second highest attrition rate in the nation, behind only Harvard. (see http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/71560). The truth is that many people are heart-set on attending the university in large-part because of the honor code.
It is also worth noting that BYU does not invalidate a student’s class credits should they no longer wish to live the standards. At all times, students are allowed to take their classwork to another institution. Choosing BYU is therefore not that “risky.” Students routinely transfer. Chad Hardy could do this tomorrow if his real intent was to get a degree instead of milking as much publicity out of his excommunication as possible.

I think your average university won’t immediately grant a degree based on four years of work at another institution. And surely not without a significant fee. So while he can take his credits elsewhere and hopefully they’d be accepted, I’m guessing he’d have to take a semester or a year more of classes.

I could care less what calendar he makes. It sounds pretty immature to me, but to each his own. BUT what many people don’t realize is that when you are accepted into BYU (as a member of the LDS church) you are automatically granted a 70% scholarship. The money that goes towards that scholarship comes from the tithes of the members throughout the world. So when you think of someone living in South America, who faithfully pays their tithes and will never have the chance of a higher education at BYU, you’ll think again about squandering your scholarship. It’s an honor to attend BYU. And you don’t have to do anything for that scholarship except live by the honor code. There are thousands of youth that would love to have his spot and would respect the honor code. Everyone that goes there knows what the honor code is and what it entails. There are no surprises in it. The fact that he received 70% off his tuition and squandered it, let someone else have his spot.

Let’s see, the man signed a contract to live a specific way and then HE violated that contract and he’s suing the University? Hmmmm maybe they should sue him for breech of contract and for taking away someone else’s spot at the University when he obviously never intended on living within the rules which HE agreed to in the first place.
Does he “deserve” the degree? Well, since he is the one who broke the rules, sorry, no. No one forced him to go to BYU. No one forced him to agree to live by certain standards to obtain that degree. So he did this all to himself. Any student who attends BYU is held to that same standard. Why should this guy be any different? He should have chosen to attend another University.

Honor Code, Honor Code, I could go there now and in my youthful past and had no trouble fitting into what is required of them, so could a lot of other people. I would not have been there because I would not be dictated to by anybody. I never walked around and presented myself holier than thou, and neither did my husband or children. But if that is what makes your day, so be it.
Today the Universities will be able to do research, again, after eight years of our Evangelical President Bush’s terms that held back progress and caused possibly early deaths of eight yrs. of Parkinson’s patients, etc. Will BYU be able to work with this, or will they like other Parochial U. just sit there?

Aha, 70% off the tuition explains a lot of the enthusiasm for BYU and it does put a different light on obeying the honor code. Ok, I’ll sit on the fence on this one, at least for now.

This is another chance for the church to look foolish and hypocritical. From what I’ve been able to gather, all of Hardy’s supposed bad behavior that got him excommunicated happened after he was finished with his coursework at BYU. It seems a bit odd to withhold a degree to someone in that situation. Besides, a bunch of shirtless men hardly qualifies as pornography. If one does want real pornography, however, I have been told it is readily available in every Marriott hotel room, but the Marriotts are not likely to be refused a temples recommend for being peddlers of porn. I saw a very funny article that compared pictures of shirtless, muscular Book of Mormon characters in famous Friberg paintings to the men in Hardy’s calendar. The similarities are striking.