By Aaron O'Connell, Staff Commentary -- The Beacon
At least UP isn't BYU.
This is a statement that is probably not a revelation to most UP students, who chose a small, Catholic university on the outskirts of a progressive northwestern city, as opposed to a landlocked, principally Mormon university that houses a population the size of a small city.
UP students frequently complain about the idiocy of intervisitation rules, of stringent alcohol policies and of the paternalistic tendencies of an administration that would do well to leave the students to experience college however they please.
But the next time you are written up for being in a friend's room after hours, or given a Public Safety MIP and ready to curse the arbitrary policies of a foolish code of conduct, look to the newest member of the West Coast Conference.
Look to Brandon Davies.
Davies was recently dismissed from the No. 3 BYU Cougars basketball program for a violation of the school's honor code. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Davies was dismissed this week after admitting to having "sexual relations" with his girlfriend. The honor code for BYU students (which they all have signed) consists of the following (among others):
Honesty, abstinence from illicit substances (including drugs, alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea), living a chaste and virtuous life (no sex outside marriage, no pornographic materials, no homosexual behavior), abiding by the law, regularly attending church services, clean language, respect for others, following the dress and grooming standards, and encouraging others to abide by these same standards.
On one hand, one is almost compelled to admire the commitment the Cougars have to the honor code. Essentially, they are risking a potentially historic season in order to remain consistent in their enforcement of policy, and that is laudable. It's worth noting that they lost last night without Davies to an unranked team by 18 points.
On the other hand, sitting comfortably at a wholly different university (and on a throne of ignorance) I can't help but feeling vaguely amused.
No, highly amused. And curious.
There are all sorts of unanswered questions.
Would the consequences have been the same if he admitted to having a Venti Java Chip from Starbucks? Would he still be off the team if they found a Playboy magazine under his pillow? Was he caught having sex, or was he simply compelled by guilt to tell someone? Was he having sex, or was he merely soaking — seriously, look it up — and is there a difference?
The consequences are unfortunate for Davies, who surely knew that signing his collegiate freedom away to the guidelines of an honor code could result in consequences.
But suddenly, the University of Portland code of conduct looks to be positively exploding with opportunity.
In fact, a hypothetical person at the University of Portland, if he or she was so inclined, could go to Starbucks right now and order coffee, or maybe tea, or maybe both mixed together (the possibilities are endless!), and then stub his or her toe on the way out and roar an obscenity (DAMNIT) at a passerby. This same person could then ditch the University's church service because she or he wanted to go get drunk at a local brewery, could then accompany a stranger back to her or his abode and do something vaguely sexual (but not in violation of a certain arbitrary policy) and then wake up the next morning and wear a torn sweatsuit to class!
Then, this same person could go to a UP basketball game in the 2011-12 school year and feel sorry for all those BYU players who wouldn't be on the court if they had had such a free night as the one the UP offers.
Go Pilots.
Aaron O'Connell is the woefully ignorant sports editor of The Beacon. He can be contacted at oconnell11@up.edu
