My Op Ed Ideas.... Jordan Franks
1. 1. If BYU didn’t require a commitment to an honor code, BYU athletics would dramatically improve as a result of better and more diverse recruiting ability.
Assumptions: The BYU honor code stifles athletic achievement.
Reasons: The Honor Code stifles the way BYU can recruit athletes because it sets an extremely high standard that most people not of the LDS faith are not willing to accept.
Claims:
- BYU athletics are not very diverse as opposed to other D1 programs
- Other Major programs without an honor code inhibiting recruiting outperform BYU athletics year after year.
2. The dress code on campus is extremely lackadaisical, outdated and is loosely enforced. Therefore, the dress code should be abandoned.
Assumptions: The dress code should be abandoned because it’s not really enforced anyways.
Reasons: Why should there by a “code” established on a campus that no-one really follows and/or enforces?
Claims:
- People wear basically whatever they want
- Dress code is rarely enforced, if ever.
3. In this modern world where diversity is viewed as absolutely essential to create the best learning environment, BYU is not a place that harbors a lot cultural, religious, and political diversity. Therefore, BYU should look to increase its diversity by appealing to different groups and religions.
Assumptions: If Byu were to appeal to lots of different groups and religions, diversity would increase at BYU
Reasons: BYU doesn’t appeal to a very diverse group of people
Claims: BYU is over 86% Caucasian and around 98% LDS
I like the topics and will be interested to see which you choose to write about. I do think that the 1st argument may be difficult to make, as many athletes have chosen and made mention that BYU, for a place to play was appealing because of the strict commitment to standards on and off the field.
ReplyDeleteI think your argument regarding the Dress Code is interesting. While it may not be strictly enforced, I think if it were completely done away with we would see a dramatic change for the worse in dress standards.
ReplyDeleteJordon,
ReplyDeleteTwo things to think about with your OpEd topics. Number one, your first argument actually assumes that the president of BYU sees success in athletics as more important than any possible benefits the honor code might provide. I don't think that's currently the case. So, the key to your argument is actually being able to convince the leaders at BYU that success at athletics is more important than the benefits from the honor code. That might be a big bite to chew, especially given some of President Hinkley's remarks on athletics and enforcement of the honor code.
Second, when talking about an argument of the dress code, you need to consider that another natural response to this argument would be to increase enforcement of the dress code. How will you address this in your argument? The assumption with your current stance ignores this possible option.
Just some things to think about.