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Honor Code

Ecclesiastical Endorsement Process

ECCLESIASTICAL ENDORSEMENT


All students, whether on or off campus, are expected to abide by the Honor Code, which includes the Academic Honesty Policy, Dress and Grooming Standards, University Policies, and Residential Living Standards.

Latter-day Saint students must fulfill their duty in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, attend Church meetings, and abide by the rules and standards of the Church on and off campus.

Students who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are also expected to maintain the same standards of conduct and are encouraged to participate in services of their preferred religion.

All students must renew their Ecclesiastical Endorsement every 365 days from the date of the previous endorsement.

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New and Returning Students

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Mission Deferred Students

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Continuing Students

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New or Returning Students

New students or students who are returning to BYUH after being out of classes for at least two semesters, including those returning from serving a mission, need to get into the endorsement system as an Applicant. Returning students who completed their endorsement should contact the Admissions office at admissions@byuh.edu to remove the endorsement hold.

Begin Your New or Returning Ecclesiastical Endorsement

Endorsement for Mission Deferred Students

Students who were admitted to BYUH, and received a mission deferment need to go into the endorsement system as an Applicant, regardless of the length of time that has transpired since the deferment was placed. Students who have returned home from their mission need an interview with their Bishop and Stake President. Students who are currently serving a mission may be endorsed by their Mission President. Once the endorsement is complete, please contact the Admissions office at admissions@byuh.edu to remove the endorsement hold.

Begin Your Endorsement

Continuing Students

Brigham Young University–Hawaii requires all students to maintain good standing to continue enrollment and to graduate. A valid Continuing Students Ecclesiastical Endorsement is mandatory for all students and must be renewed 365 days from the date of the previous endorsement.

Renewal Guidelines:

  • Member students must obtain an endorsement from the ecclesiastical leader in the BYUH assigned ward where their Church membership record is located, based on living in a hale or a marriage student ward.
    Ward and Stake Boundaries
  • Non-member students may be endorsed by:
    1. The local ecclesiastical leader of their congregation if they are active participants.
    2. The Latter-day Saint Bishop of the ward in which they currently reside.
    3. The BYUH nondenominational chaplain. BYUH Chaplain

Important Timeline:
To ensure uninterrupted class enrollment and to avoid holds, students must initiate and complete the renewal process before their current endorsement expires. Students may begin the renewal process 70 days prior to the expiration date of their endorsement and should do so immediately upon receiving a reminder email from the Honors Office.

Failure to complete the renewal process on time will result in cancellation of the student's registration for the following semester, or the school will cancel all registered classes for the semester. Adherence to this annual renewal requirement shows a student's continued commitment to the BYUH Honor Code and its values.

Renew a Continuing Student's Ecclesiastical Endorsement

Note: If it is your first time renewing your endorsement, you need to link your BYU–Hawaii account to your Church Account after signing in.
To do this:

  1. Be sure your membership records are recorded in your assigned Hawaii ward. 
  2. Open the website:   https://ces-endorse.byu.edu/  
  3. Sign in using your Church account username and password.  
    If needed, link your BYU–Hawaii student account with your Church account.  
  4. Click on the BYU–Hawaii icon and follow the prompts. 
  5. Confirm that your church membership record is in your assigned Hawaii ward.   
    If you don't see your ward listed, contact your ward clerk before requesting an endorsement. 
  6. Submit your request for an ecclesiastical endorsement. 
  7. Schedule an interview with your assigned ecclesiastical leader. 

Frequently Asked Questions (Students)

  • BYUH is using two different endorsement websites for new, returning, and continuing students.

    • For new and returning students, ecclesiastical leaders and students should use endorse.byu.edu as an Applicant. New and returning students need to be endorsed by their bishop and stake president. If a student is currently serving a mission, the mission president can complete the endorsement.
    • For continuing students, students should use ces-endorse.byu.edu. Continuing students are only to be endorsed by their current BYUH assigned ecclesiastical leader or BYUH chaplain.
  • Continuing students must renew their Ecclesiastical Endorsement every 365 days from the date of their last endorsement. A current endorsement is required to register for classes each semester and continue as a BYU-Hawaii student.
    • Graduating students must also have a valid endorsement in order to: 
      • Participate in commencement 
      • Receive their diploma 
    Students will receive automated reminder emails before their endorsement expires.
    However, it is the student’s responsibility to complete the renewal process on time.
  • Stake Presidents, Bishops, and Mission Presidents (see Church Handbook 31.2.2)

    Member Students


    • New or returning students also require endorsement from their bishop and stake president. 
    • Continuing students: Must be endorsed by the ecclesiastical leader in the BYUH assigned ward. (see Ward and Stake Boundaries BYUH)
    • Missionaries may be endorsed by their mission president. 

    Non-member Students


    • New or returning students: May be endorsed by: 
      • Their own local ecclesiastical leader (if actively attending a congregation), 
      • The Latter-day Saint bishop of the ward where they currently reside, or 
      • The BYUH chaplain.
    • Continuing students: Must be endorsed by the BYUH chaplain.
  • If a bishop chooses not to endorse a student, the student will not be eligible to register for classes or continue enrollment. The student may contact their Ecclesiastical Leader for further guidance.
  • Yes. Students must maintain an active ecclesiastical endorsement throughout their time at BYU–Hawaii, including periods of internships (domestic or international). Failure to renew may affect your internship status.
  • Yes. All students, regardless of enrollment status (full-time or part-time), are required to have a current ecclesiastical endorsement to remain enrolled at BYU–Hawaii. All students need to start the renewal endorsement process at ces-endorse.byu.edu.
  • Yes. If your endorsement expires before graduation, you must renew it in order to:
    • Participate in graduation ceremonies 
    • Receive your diploma. 

Frequently Asked Questions (Ecclesiastical Leader)

Who should conduct an Ecclesiastical Endorsement interview?

Stake Presidents, Bishops, and Mission Presidents (see Church Handbook 31.2.2)

For non-member continuing students must be endorsed by the BYUH chaplain.

What questions are asked during an Ecclesiastical Endorsement interview?

Interview questions evaluate whether the student is: 

Faithfully living the principles of the gospel 

In good standing with Church standards 

Committed to upholding the CES Honor Code, including Dress and Grooming Standards 

Questions asked to students in an ecclesiastical endorsement interview (see Ecclesiastical Endorsement Questions)

Can an Ecclesiastical Endorsement be withdrawn?

Yes. An endorsement can be revoked if the student no longer meets the standards required by the CES Honor Code or Church leadership. Withdrawal of an endorsement may result in a student being suspension from the university.