Brigham Young University: A Unique Environment

Religious Environment

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsors BYU to provide a university education in an atmosphere that nurtures spiritual growth and a strong conviction of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Church programs are closely correlated at all levels with the activities of the university, and students will find many opportunities to grow spiritually.

Religion Classes

All students at BYU should include regular gospel study as a continuous part of their university experience. Full-time undergraduate students take one religion class each semester of enrollment until a total of 14 semester hours of religion credit has been earned. See The University Core section of this catalog for more information.

University Devotionals

University devotionals, held throughout the year on Tuesdays at 11:05 a.m., provide an inspirational and integrative part of the university experience. These assemblies are occasions to celebrate the shared sense of community values in the university. Participation in these gatherings will renew spiritual commitment. Devotional speakers, selected from the General Authorities and other leaders of the Church and university personnel, come to teach the gospel and affirm the spiritual dimension of the university experience for students, faculty, and staff.

Most campus offices and services are closed during university assemblies so that members of the university community may participate.

BYU Stakes and Wards

To give students maximum opportunity to participate, the Church is organized into a number of BYU stakes composed of several wards of approximately 150 members each. All single students living away from home who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints become members of a BYU ward. Single LDS students living at home have the option of attending their home ward or a designated BYU ward. Married students not living in university housing may attend either the designated BYU ward or the residential ward in which they live.

Other Religious Denominations

Approximately twenty-five other religious denominations are represented in the BYU student body. These students are encouraged to attend a congregation of their faith in the surrounding area, if possible.

Academic Environment

The academic environment extends beyond the four walls of a university classroom. Serious students seek enrichment in the library, at university forums and lectures, and through research. Some students may choose to become involved in the Honors Program or live in one of the "quiet halls" on campus—and everyone benefits from drawing on the resources available at college advisement centers.

New Student Orientation

The purpose of New Student Orientation (NSO) is to welcome new and transfer students into the BYU community of disciple-scholars and to familiarize them with the opportunities and challenges of university learning. Additionally, NSO provides new students several opportunities to become acquainted with the resources available to them on campus. Finally, it offers a great chance to connect with other students, faculty members, and staff personnel.

NSO events and activities range from the academic through the informational to the out-and-out fun, but they are always friendly and focused on the needs of new students. NSO activities vary according to the term or semester. They may include campus tours; learning about the library, academic advising, scholarships, financial aid, and honors education; and an introduction to several of the emotionally and spiritually satisfying traditions of the Y.

Many of the activities are organized around Y Groups, small cohorts of students led by upperclassmen, which offer students individualized attention. Orientation at BYU balances the various needs of new students by combining appropriate resources, activities, and personnel. To become fully integrated into an institution as large and complex as BYU, active participation in NSO is vital.

New Student Orientation is held three times a year, immediately prior to winter semester, summer term, and fall semester. Please refer to the Web page at http://fye.byu.edu for detailed information and registration.

University Forums

University forums are held on selected Tuesdays at 11:05 a.m. and are designed to enrich the general education experience. Speakers are noted authorities in the arts, sciences, humanities, media, and government, chosen for their contributions to their field and their ability to inspire and communicate. Participation in these assemblies and the associated question-and-answer sessions prompts inquiry into significant intellectual, cultural, and social issues and helps lay the foundation for lifelong learning.

Harold B. Lee Library

The Harold B. Lee Library (HBLL) collection numbers over eight million volumes, including books, periodicals, government documents, microfilm, and other nonprint items. The