In updated Church Education System standards, shorts now allowed

SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Board of Education has updated the Standards for the Church Educational System. The Church Education System changes bring all CES Schools under the same standards.

For those asking if men can now wear beards, the answer is still, “Men should be clean-shaven.”

However, shorts are now approved for all campuses under these new standards.

Elder Clark G. Gilbert, the CES commissioner of education, said “These changes will help everyone associated with CES further embrace the distinct purpose associated with CES institutions of higher education.”

Elder Gilbert went on to say that the goal of this unification of standards is to help students and employees. These are to feel the love of the Savior, grow from applying gospel principles, and “more fully realize the joy associated with being part of a covenant-keeping community.”

Church Education System changes

In recent years, the church has looked at making changes to align members to the church’s fundamental beliefs. The most notable was when the church decided to do away with the term “Mormon” as a recognized name for members of the church. 

In that fashion, the church has changed students’ standards as they continue their higher education.

The changes to these standards include changes to the Student Ecclesiastical Endorsement, CES Honor Code, and Dress and Grooming Principles and Expectations 

The article posted that the changes made affect the following:

1. The Student Ecclesiastical Endorsement elevates the student’s interview by aligning it with the ecclesiastical responsibilities of priesthood leaders and focusing on a student’s efforts to grow spiritually and meet ecclesiastical standards. Administration of university Honor Code and Dress and Grooming policies will now more fully reside with the CES institutions.

2. The CES Honor Code has been the same for all CES institutions for many years. Updates highlight its role in accomplishing the religious mission of CES.

3. Dress and Grooming Principles and Expectations have historically varied among CES institutions and will now be simplified and unified across campuses. These updates identify a set of foundational principles while retaining an important set of common expectations.

Read more about these changes on the church’s website

These updates will take effect on Aug. 30, 2023.

Bonneville International Corporation, the company that owns KSL NewsRadio, is a subsidiary of Deseret Management Corporation, which is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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