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Honor Code

Beard Exceptions

Exception to Clean Shaving

The Office of Honor (OOH) oversees the process for students seeking an exception from the CES grooming expectation to be clean-shaven.

BYU-Hawaii considers requests for exception to the CES grooming expectations on a case-by-case basis. Exceptions will be granted with a signed statement from a licensed medical professional at the BYU–Hawaii Health Center documenting the following:

  1. The student has pseudofolliculitis barbae or another stated skin condition significantly exacerbated by frequent shaving.

  2. The estimated length of time required for the skin condition to be alleviated.

The process to receive a signed statement from the BYU–Hawaii Health Center may necessitate demonstrating to a licensed medical professional the existence of the skin condition after at least three days of close shaving. Documentation from other medical professionals of the existence of the skin condition should be presented to the licensed medical professional at the BYU–Health Center at the time of evaluation.

Process to Receive Exception to Clean Shaving

  1. Schedule an appointment with a licensed medical professional at the BYU–Hawaii Health Center.

  2. After evaluation, receive a signed statement from the BYU–Hawaii Health Center licensed medical professional.

  3. Present to the Office of Honor the signed statement from the BYU–Hawaii Health Center requesting the exception.

  4. Sign an Honor Code beard exception agreement. This agreement stipulates that the student wear a neatly trimmed full beard at all times.

  5. Obtain a new photo ID card showing “Beard Exception” and the expiration date on the card.

A beard exception is valid for up to 12 months and may be extended as needed. To extend, visit the Office of Honor before the expiration date on the photo ID card with a signed statement from the BYU–Hawaii Health Center requesting an extension of the beard exception.