Posted by:
Brother Of Jerry
(
)
Date: April 18, 2012 09:09AM
They can withhold a transcript if you owe them money, or if you fraudulently enrolled, say, as another person (it happens). I believe those are the only reasons for which a transcript can be withheld.
Here's what they can do: if you are disciplined by LDS Inc, or violate their so-called Honor Code, they may (and likely will) take courses in which you are enrolled at the time of the infraction and beyond off your transcript, provided you are still a BYU student at the time. Unless a disciplinary action is already in process when you leave, I am pretty sure your transcript is safe from modification once you have left, except in extraordinary circumstances, such as fraud.
BYU also cannot take back a degree once it has been granted. They can and have, however, refused to grant a degree in the case of Chad Hardy, who got himself exed for that soft-core beefcake missionary calendar. He had already finished all his coursework, but had not yet had the graduation ceremony which is when the degree is officially granted. (You don't have to attend the ceremony, but that is when you are officially graduated, not when you finish your last final exam, or get your last grades).
So, all you really need to do is not get your membership sanctioned while you are still attending BYU, or until your graduation, if you have completed the requirements for graduation, and don't leave owing them money. If you do owe them money, pay the outstanding bill, and you will be able to get copies of your transcript.
I've heard people claim that BYU will block your transfer to another school if you become a religious persona non grata to them. Nonsense. It is the school you transfer to that decides whether to accept you or not. The school you transfer from has no say in the matter. And again, BYU can't refuse to send your transcript, except for the usual reasons (debt, fraudulent enrollment).
I spent three years on the admissions and academic standing committee of a university, which deals with admissions, including all transfers into the university, all academic suspensions and probations, and appeals of suspensions, and appeals to be readmitted to the university. I am very familiar with what the registrar's office can and can't do to a student. Unless the BYU catalog says that a transcript can be withheld for resigning or getting booted out of LDS Inc, they can't do it (and it doesn't say that - I checked).
Not that I expect this urban myth to die. People just want to believe BYU withholds transcripts of exmo students. I'm sure if they could, they would, but they can't.
Oh, and congrats on moving on. I toughed it out and graduated, after I finally admitted openly that it was all BS at the beginning of my last year there. Not fun. Almost got myself expelled, so I have seen the process from that side too.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2012 09:20AM by Brother Of Jerry.