Action…consequence! Neat, isn’t it?
Kasia May 9th, 2009
Ten years or so ago, when I was seriously looking at law school, I remember looking at Brigham Young University. I’m not a Mormon, I’ve never been a Mormon, and I think I can safely say that I will never be a Mormon. However, they were listed as one of the best ConLaw schools in the nation, and ConLaw was one of my main interests.
So I went onto their web site to figure out whether I could, in fact, handle BYU and their expectations of their students. Including reading their code of conduct, which stipulated that not only was I expected to conduct myself like a Latter-Day Saint (no caffeine, no tobacco, no alcohol, no sex, etc.) while at school, but I was expected to conduct myself thus on my vacations too. You know: at home. In another state.
I think my response was something to the effect of: “Screw that.” And I decided that Brigham Young was not in my future.
Why do I bring this up?
Because apparently some kid in Ohio and his family have decided that the code of conduct they agreed to at the fundamentalist Baptist school they have been sending him to…well, it’s just not fair and it shouldn’t apply outside of the classroom.
Never mind that the kid signed an agreement at the beginning of the year. Never mind that the parents have been tacitly consenting to the code of conduct by paying tuition at this private school.
Now, to be honest, I am not sure I agree with the principal’s having signed the form, although it does underscore the point that in life we have to make choices, and sometimes there are nasty consequences when we make a decision. It’s a very good lesson in free will, actually; the kid knows what his options are and what the consequences will be if he chooses to go to the prom with his public school girlfriend. As of when that story was written, he was planning to go to the prom. That will result in his being suspended from the remainder of classes and from the school’s commencement exercises. Clear, knowable consequences.
I wouldn’t send my children to Heritage Christian. Why not? Well, because I’m not a fundamentalist Baptist, and I disagree with their code of conduct (which I would have read prior to giving them a tuition check) just as much as their theology. But I hope they stick to their guns on this, even though I think their objections are misguided and wrongheaded. Because just once in a while, it would be nice to see the entitlement mentality we’ve adopted have a little ding put in it.
I didn’t apply to Brigham Young, because I wasn’t prepared to change my life to suit their rules. (I didn’t even apply to law school, as it turned out, but that’s another post.) Had I gone to BYU, I would’ve done my level best to meet their expectations, if for no other reason than to protect my investment (legal education, like private school, ain’t cheap) but also as a matter of personal integrity. Seems like common sense to me.
These are the things that grind my gears and will eventually give me ulcers…
Would you like to borrow a hammer?
Great post, my friend.
RL irony.
Now if only it’d smack someone between the eyes, for once…..
We see this at A’s school all the time. There’s a relatively strict uniform dress code, and I’ve heard several parents complain about it. We had to sign a statement that indicated our understanding and intent to comply with these rules, and were very careful about selecting clothes for A that wouldn’t violate the school’s dress code.