ID Card Policies
Dress and Grooming Standards (Honor Code)
The ID Center asks that all faculty, employees, and students meet Dress and Grooming Standards. The ID card is a symbol of a person's affiliation with, and representation of, Brigham Young University. BYU exists to provide a university education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This atmosphere is preserved through commitment to conduct that reflects those ideals and principles. We appreciate your shared responsibility in helping us maintain these standards ( https://policy.byu.edu/view/index.php?p=26 ):
The dress and grooming of both men and women should always be modest, neat, and clean, consistent with the dignity adherent to representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any of its institutions of higher education.
Modesty and cleanliness are important values that reflect personal dignity and integrity, through which students, staff, and faculty represent the principles and standards of the Church. Members of the BYU community commit themselves to observe the following standards, which reflect the direction of the Board of Trustees and the Church publication For the Strength of Youth. The Dress and Grooming Standards are as follows:
Women
A clean and well-cared-for appearance should be maintained. Clothing is inappropriate when it is sleeveless, strapless, backless, or revealing; has slits above the knee; or is form-fitting. Dresses, skirts, and shorts must be knee-length or longer. Hairstyles should be clean and neat, avoiding extremes in styles or colors. Excessive ear piercing (more than one per ear) and all other body piercing are not acceptable. Shoes should be worn in all public campus areas.
Men
A clean and well-cared-for appearance should be maintained. Clothing is inappropriate when it is sleeveless, revealing, or form-fitting. Shorts must be knee-length or longer. Hairstyles should be clean and neat, avoiding extreme styles or colors, and trimmed above the collar, leaving the ear uncovered. Sideburns should not extend below the earlobe or onto the cheek. If worn, mustaches should be neatly trimmed and may not extend beyond or below the corners of the mouth. Men are expected to be clean-shaven; beards are not acceptable. Earrings and other body piercing are not acceptable. Shoes should be worn in all public campus areas.
Beard Waivers
Students who have need of a Beard Waiver, please contact the Honor Code Office, 4450 WSC, 801-422-2847. The Honor Code Office makes all decisions regarding Beard Waivers and Beard ID Card Waivers for students.
Faculty who have need of a Beard Waiver, please contact Faculty Relations, D-341 ASB, 801-422-7017. Employees, please contact Benefits Services, D-240 ASB, 801-422-4716. These departments make decisions regarding Beard Waivers and Beard ID Card Waivers for employees and faculty.
If a Beard Waiver is granted, the expectation is that the beard will be full-grown, not a goatee, soul patch, etc. If a Beard ID Card Waiver is granted, the ID card will only be issued when this expectation is met.
BYU ID Card Eligibility
The BYU ID card identifies the cardholder as a *current member of the campus community.
- Only eligible individuals affiliated with BYU will receive an ID card.
- Faculty, Employees, and Students must meet all BYU Dress and Grooming Standards.
- The primary BYU ID card role (see below) is printed on the face of the ID card along with an expiration date. If a cardholder has multiple roles only the top primary role is printed on the card; however, all BYU benefits or privileges associated with other roles are granted when the ID card is accessed at campus service areas.
- Cardholders have the option to print a **preferred first name on the ID card.
*The ID card's primary role is current as of the date the card was issued. We encourage all departments and services to electronically verify an individual's current role at the time of service.
**The preferred name is intended to be a less-formal name by which you are commonly known. If the ID Center determines your preferred name to be inappropriate you will not be issued an ID card until you have changed your preferred name. Changing an inappropriate preferred name takes one business day and will incur a $10 re-printing fee.
Cards are Non-Transferable
The ID card is the property of Brigham Young University and is for internal campus use only. BYU is not liable for any external use or acceptance of the card. Neither the card nor any associated services or privileges are transferable. The card must be surrendered upon request.
BYU ID Card Roles
If the 'Free UTA rides' column is marked Yes, this role is eligible for a free UTA Premium Pass ID card. UTA privileges do not end when your ID card expires; privileges expire when the role terminates (retirement, graduation, etc.). Students must be eligible to register for on-campus for-credit classes, to keep UTA privileges. Spouses and unmarried dependents (ages 6-29) of eligible BYU employees and students are UTA eligible too. Spouses and dependents of SLC Instructors and SLC students are not UTA eligible.
Faculty
The determining office for this role is the Academic Vice President. (Please contact the ID Center for CARD and UTA issues.)
| Role | Card Valid For | Free UTA rides |
| Full-time Faculty |
6 years |
Yes |
| Part-Time with Benefits |
6 years |
Yes |
| CES Personnel (teaching on campus) |
6 years |
Yes |
| Air Force ROTC |
6 years |
Yes |
| Army ROTC |
6 years |
Yes |
| Postdoctoral Fellows |
3 years |
Yes |
| Research Associate |
3 years |
Yes |
| Visiting Full-time Faculty |
3 years |
Yes |
| Visiting Scholar |
3 years |
Yes |
| Part-Time No Benefits |
1 year |
Yes |
| Part-Time J-1 Visa |
1 year |
Yes |
Employee
The determining offices for this role are Human Resource Services and the Academic Vice President. (Please contact the ID Center for CARD and UTA issues.)
| Role | Card Valid For | Free UTA rides |
| Executive |
6 years |
Yes |
| Administrative |
6 years |
Yes |
| Full-time Staff |
6 years |
Yes |
| Part-Time: Contract |
6 years |
Yes |
| Part-Time: Three-Quarter Time |
6 years |
Yes |
| Public School Professional |
6 years |
No |
| Cooperating Professional |
6 years |
No |
| LDS Philanthropies |
6 years |
No |
| LDS Family Services |
6 years |
No |
| CES Commissioner’s Office |
6 years |
Yes |
| Part-Time: Half-Time |
2 years |
Yes |
| Evening Classes Instructor |
2 years |
Yes |
| Independent Study Instructor |
2 years |
No |
| Salt Lake Center Instructor |
2 years |
Yes |
| ELC Instructor |
2 years |
Yes |
| EFY Coordinators |
1 year |
No |
Retirees
The determining office for this role is Human Resource Services. (Please contact the ID Center for CARD and UTA questions.)
| Primary Role | Card Valid For | Free UTA Rides |
| BYU Retiree | Indefinite | No |
| CES Retired Benefited | Indefinite | No |
| Retiree Spouse | Indefinite | No |
| Surviving Spouse | Indefinite | No |
| BYU Benefited | Indefinite | No |
Student
The determining offices for this role are Enrollment Services and the Division of Continuing Education. (Please contact the ID Center for CARD and UTA issues.)
| Role | Card Valid For | Free UTA Rides |
| For-credit* Eligible to register** |
||
| Freshman |
3 year |
Yes |
| Sophomore |
3 year |
Yes |
| Junior |
3 year |
Yes |
| Senior |
3 year |
Yes |
| BGS |
2 year |
Yes |
| Master’s Program |
2 year |
Yes |
| Doctorate Program |
2 year |
Yes |
| Post Baccalaureate/Non-degree |
1 year |
Yes |
| Evening Classes (for credit* for UTA pass) |
1 year |
If for credit* |
| Salt Lake Center |
1 year |
Yes |
| Visiting Students |
Length of stay |
Yes |
| Non-credit, Campus-registered |
||
| Audit |
1 year |
No |
| Concurrent Enrollment |
1 year |
Yes |
| Academic Exchange |
1 year |
No |
| English Language Center |
1 year |
Yes |
* “For credit” means that the student will receive credit hours upon completion of the class. If a BYU student registers for audit-only classes, withdraws, or is considered a no-show for a credit class, the student will not be eligible for UTA rides.
** An "eligible to register" student is a student who can register for on-campus classes (not online only), during the current semester or term, or future semester or term.
Affiliate
The determining office for each role is listed below. (Please contact the ID Center for CARD and UTA issues.)
| Role | Card Valid For | Determining Office for ROLE | Free UTA Rides |
| Affiliate Faculty | 1 year | Academic VP | No |
| Graduated Alumni If you graduated prior to 1980, please call Enrollment Services, 801-422-2631, and ask that your records be digitized before visiting. |
Indefinite | Alumni Relations | No |
| Employee Spouse (excludes SLC Instructor, Retiree and Surviving spouses) |
6 years | Human Resource Services | Yes |
| Employee Dependent (6-29 years old, unmarried, excludes SLC Instructor and Surviving dependents) |
6 years | Human Resource Services | Yes |
| CES Personnel (Seminaries & Institutes) | 6 years | Human Resource Services | No |
President’s Leadership Council |
6 years |
Advancement VP |
No |
| BYU Wards/Stakes |
3 years |
Physical Facilities |
No |
| Service Representatives |
3 years |
University Libraries |
No |
| MTC Branches/Stakes |
4 years |
MTC IT Services |
No |
| MTC Volunteers |
3 years |
MTC IT Services |
No |
| Wells Fargo Employee |
3 years |
Human Resource Services |
No |
| Beehive Clothing (Church Distribution) |
3 years |
Human Resource Services |
No |
| Retiree Dependent |
2 years |
Human Resource Services |
No |
| Student Spouse (excludes SLC Student spouses) |
2 years | Student Life | Yes |
| Student Dependent (6-29 years old, unmarried, excludes SLC Student dependents) |
2 years | Student Life | Yes |
| Former Students/24+ completed hrs |
2 years |
Alumni Relations |
No |
| Full-time Missionaries |
1 year |
Physical Facilities |
No |
| Friends of the Library |
1 year |
Harold B. Lee Library |
No |
| Donors |
Department |
Advancement VP |
No |
| Non-Admitted Student / Guest |
Department |
Student Life |
No |
| Contract Worker |
Length of project |
Sponsoring Department |
No |
Design and Content
On the front of your BYU ID card:
Your primary role is printed on the face of the card. As an individual may have multiple roles and roles may change, entitlements based on roles are authenticated electronically.
On the back of your BYU ID card:
The magnetic stripe stores your BYU ID number, which allows your information to be accessed electronically at various locations on campus. ID cards also have an internal smart chip and antenna. Do NOT punch a hole in the card or bend it; if you damage the chip or antenna, the smart chip will not work and it will cost $10 to replace. Instead, check out the BYU Store's supply of card holders.
The back of the card also states important information regarding the use of your card:
This card is the property of Brigham Young University and is for internal campus use only. BYU is not liable for any external use or acceptance of this card. Neither this card nor any associated services or privileges are transferable. This card is not valid unless signed in ink and must be surrendered upon request. If found, please return to WSC ID Center, Provo UT 84602. Postage is guaranteed.
Preferred Names
You can have your preferred first name printed on your ID card.
The preferred name is intended to be a less formal name by which you are commonly known. If the ID Center determines your preferred name to be inappropriate you will not be issued an ID card until you have changed your preferred name. Changing an inappropriate preferred name takes one business day and will incur a $10 re-printing fee.
To set your Preferred Name:
- Log in to MyBYU
- Under the Campus Links Communication drop-down menu select Personal Information
- Select Names
- Enter your Preferred First Name
- Select the name you want to be displayed on your ID card
- Save Changes
Note: Only hyphens or apostrophes are allowed, no periods, commas or other punctuation please.
Last Name Change
Students who have changed their last name need to visit the Registrar's Office in B-150 ASB before a new ID card can be issued, please visit enrollment.byu.edu/registrar/update-your-personal-information for more information.
Employees need to notify Benefits Services, D-240 ASB, before a new card can be issued.
You are not required to get a new ID card with your new last name. If you would like to get a new card with your new last name, bring your current ID card to the ID Center approx. 1 week after changing your name. We will swap out the current card for a new card at no charge. If your current card is lost, a new card will cost $10.
ID Card Photo
You may need a new photo to get a new ID card. We have been asked to get a new photo if your current photo is 2 years old or older. Regardless of whether or not a new photo is needed, you must meet Dress and Grooming Standards every time you replace your ID card.
Before visiting to get an ID card, please submit a new photo online - click here.
If you have not submitted a photo online and there are multiple patrons in the office, we may ask you to come back after submitting, or you may need to wait to have a photo taken until other patrons have left the office.
The ID Center asks that no hats or scarves be worn for the picture (exceptions may be made for medical conditions or religious reasons). We also ask that jewelry and hair accessories not be so large that they cover or shadow your face.
Gentlemen, if you have a valid Beard Waiver, please bring your current ID card to the ID Center to receive a new ID card.
Your ID card picture is viewed by professors, administrators, department employees, and the Honor Code Office. We encourage students to use good judgment when having their picture taken; potential employers, professors, and mentors can view your photos and may get their first impression of you based on your ID card picture. The ID Center will not accept pictures with inappropriate expressions or any gestures.
For information about getting a copy of your ID card photo, please see the ID Center Services page.
Photo Identification and Authentication Use:
Brigham Young University’s ID card photos are used for identification and authentication purposes. Agents of Brigham Young University are authorized to see and electronically scan a BYU photo ID card prior to providing or authorizing university services. If the card is not available, university agents are authorized to access photos for identification.
All authorized access to photos must conform to the following rules:
- Access to photos is through an authorized web service.
- Photos are NOT to be saved in applications outside of the ID card program or OIT Personal Information system without OIT approval.
- Agents accessing photos are to follow all business rules governing the use and display of photos - i.e., photos flagged as ‘Unlisted’ and ‘Restricted’.
- All individuals accessing photos must be properly instructed concerning non-disclosure and the use of personal information. This should include FERPA training and the signing of a non-disclosure document.
- Printing of photos must have a legitimate university purpose and all printed copies must be stored, used, and disposed of, following rules governing personal information.
- Photos are not to be manipulated or changed from the officially stored image.
- Individuals and/or departments violating any of the rules governing the use of photos will be subject to appropriate corrective action, up to and including termination of rights to access and use photos.
Photo Non-Authentication Use:
(ie. department directories, awards and service recognition)
Within Brigham Young University, ID card photos may be used for non-authentication purposes according to the following guidelines:
Employee Photos:
The University reserves the right to use directory information, including employee photos, for University purposes.
Student Photos:
The use of Brigham Young University photos of current or past students for non-authentication purposes, outside of employment issues, may be granted only with the authorization and approval of the individual. Authorization should be for a specific use and for a specified time and or event.
All non-authentication uses of photos for current or past students, not currently employed by the University, must conform to the following rules:
- An official and specific “opt-in” process is used for each application.
- An individual can rescind authorization at any time and terminate the use of their image.
- “Good faith” and “reasonable” efforts must be taken by the area using the photo to protect and prevent photos from being misused.
- Photos are not to be manipulated or changed from the officially stored image.
Non-Employee/Non-Student Photos:
The University reserves the right to use directory information, including photos, of individuals without an official student record or not currently employed by the University, at the University’s discretion.