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Every student who attends BYU must agree, in writing, to abide by the BYU honor code. This is a legal, binding contract. If you don't sign it, you can't attend. But, as most of us know, there are those who feel (particularly on the Left) that laws, rules and regulations apply to them. They're merely optional suggestions to be followed when they don't get in the way of an agenda.

Here is the relevant section:

Live A Chaste And Virtuous Life

Live a Chaste and Virtuous Life
A chaste and virtuous life encompasses many principles, including respect and self control as well as reserving sexual intimacy for marriage.

Inappropriate gender-based behavior
Respect for each individual as a child of God is fundamental to the atmosphere desired at BYU. Inappropriate gender-based behavior is contrary to the teachings of the LDS Church and the university's Honor Code. The Church teaches that observance of high standards of conduct in personal relationships is necessary to individual salvation. A breach of the university Unlawful Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Gender-Based Behavior Policy is an Honor Code violation. The following are examples of inappropriate gender-based behavior or sexual harassment.

Repeated stereotypical gender-based remarks
Sexually oriented joking, flirting, or comments
Unwelcome touching or any touching of a sexual nature
Verbal or physical abuse
Graphic, sexually-oriented comments about an individual's body
Derogatory or demeaning comments concerning gender
Offensive or crude language
Display of objects or pictures which depict nudity or are otherwise sexual in nature
Persistent and unwanted attempts to change a casual or friendly relationship into a romantic or more intimate one

Pornography and indecent material
Involvement with pornographic, erotic, obscene, indecent, or other offensive materials, expressions, or conduct which, in the sole discretion and judgment of the university, is inconsistent with the BYU Honor Code or with the principles of BYU's sponsor, the LDS Church, is a serious offense which may result in university sanctions including, in appropriate cases, termination from university employment, immediate suspension or dismissal from the university as well as prosecution pursuant to the law.

Computer pornography
Students are expected to avoid involvement with pornography. They must also understand that use of the BYU owned and operated computing network to obtain or distribute pornographic material constitutes an inappropriate use of the computer network. See the BYU Computer Network Patron Policy which describes expectations and potential actions in regard to this matter.

Sexual and similar misconduct
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and BYU affirm that sexual relationships outside the covenant of marriage are inappropriate. Examples include but are not limited to the following:

Extra-marital relations
Promiscuity or predatory behavior
Aberrant behavior
Solicitation of sex
Homosexual conduct
Cross-dressing

Any level of sexual or similar misconduct at BYU is significant and may lead to a separation from the university.

Homosexual behavior or advocacy
Brigham Young University will respond to homosexual behavior rather than to feelings or attraction and welcomes as full members of the university community all whose behavior meets university standards. Members of the university community can remain in good Honor Code standing if they conduct their lives in a manner consistent with gospel principles and the Honor Code.

One's stated same-gender attraction is not an Honor Code issue. However, the Honor Code requires all members of the university community to manifest a strict commitment to the law of chastity. Homosexual behavior and/or advocacy of homosexual behavior are inappropriate and violate the Honor Code. Homosexual behavior includes not only sexual relations between members of the same sex, but all forms of physical intimacy that give expression to homosexual feelings. Advocacy includes seeking to influence others to engage in homosexual behavior or promoting homosexual relations as being morally acceptable.

Violations of the Honor Code may result in actions up to and including separation from the University.

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Just as illegal immigrants should not be rewarded for sneaking into this country, those who knowingly violate their commitments, both legal and moral, in an attempt to ridicule and impugn their former beliefs should not be rewarded for doing so either. Not to mention the fact that BYU is a private institution and is therefore well within its rights not to grant this kid a degree.

If you don't like BYU's beliefs, don't sign the code and go somewhere else. It really is simple enough for even Libs (and opportunistic critics of the church) to understand.

I support their code. Despite any reservation I have about the sponsoring organization, BYU is a an academic affair. Many other institutions have such including two I have had the honor of teaching for.

The question is not whether the code should stand, but in this particular case it's application and how this was handled. It is in the timing that things are suspicious.

It is also where BYU may have caught it's foot in the door and set a precedent that may bring other ramifications down the road.

For example, since the young man earned the credits and indeed was allowed to walk, will the next move be to rescind degrees awarded of individuals who left the church a few years after graduation? More realistically could they do such if the infraction was discovered well after the student graduated and would that be wise? On first blush all that sounds ridiculous, but in essence that is what they have done in this case. The young man was finished before they expelled him.

They are on a fine line. They should have made their move when he was initially excommunicated, before he finished that last class.