For BYU–Hawaii students who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a welcoming campus and student body have made them feel accepted through religious differences. While they seldom felt excluded, nonmembers said campus elements like the Honor Code and constant church invitations were an adjustment.
“When I came, all I felt was love. That’s the general feeling of the campus. It was just a bunch of kind spirits. No one knew I wasn’t a member until it came up in conversation, and even in those times, I didn’t feel left out or anything,” said Lina Legorreta, a sophomore from Jordan majoring in information systems.
Panninee U-thaiwan, a junior from Thailand majoring in marketing, said even though she was Buddhist, she never felt judged by her peers.
“I don’t really feel different in this school. People are the same. They treat me nicely, and they don’t judge.”
Leilah Mouna, a junior from Canada majoring in political science, said she chose to come to BYUH because of her desire to travel and get out of her comfort zone, as well as the small class sizes.
“BYUH was the choice over the University of Hawaii because it was a smaller school than what I was used to. It was a chance to get to know professors and get to know a different dynamic than what I was used to.”
Mouna said she is thankful to be able to go to BYUH and for the experiences she has had so far.
“I’m grateful to study here. There are really great opportunities here, like the trips I get to go on this semester, the jobs I’ve had, the professors I’ve been able to network with. I feel really lucky.”
She said she gets to go on two trips this semester with the Political Science Department: One to Thailand and another to Chicago.
Mouna shared how the Honor Code, specifically the dress standards, was an adjustment for her when starting classes.
“I think that the dress [code] was the most difficult for me. I remember the first Sunday I wanted to go to church, to see what it was like, and I wore this long dress, super modest in my opinion, but my shoulders weren’t covered and I wasn’t allowed to eat in the Caf. I was really upset, but I realized that wasn’t necessarily the Church. It was more the Honor Code.”
She said although she has never been dress-coded around campus, she has seen male students have to leave class during an exam because of small amounts of facial hair, or girls whose hemline was just above their knees being told to change.
“People are here to learn for the most part, so those types of things hurt people and make them not feel great about themselves rather than continuing the uplifting spirit that BYUH wants to be.”
Mouna said though she never felt excluded, sometimes the constant invitations to church and ward activities could be a bit overwhelming. “I do get a lot of Facebook messages saying ‘Hey come to church’ or ‘Hey come to FHE,’ and I feel that the pressure is a little much sometimes. I’ve even gotten notes on my door or mail. And that’s not exclusion, but over-persistence. I’ve never really felt excluded.”
U-thaiwan said while others pressured her to meet with the missionaries, most people were respectful when she declined.
“Some really pushed me to take the lessons, but most of them aren’t really like that. They just kind of accept my decision.”
Legorreta said when she first started school, she often would avoid church invitations by coming up with excuses not to attend.
“My friend ... would always invite me [to church], and I would always make excuses not to go. One time I went because my friend was speaking in church and I actually really enjoyed it. It was such a good experience.”
Legorreta later joined the Church after spending time at BYUH, and said the examples of those on campus and taking the Book of Mormon class are what led her to become baptized.
“I got to know what the gospel was all about. For me, I wasn’t going to go investigate for myself, but the Book of Mormon helped, and people’s examples were just so amazing. People were so kind. It touched me.”