Brigham Young University–Idaho facts for kids
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Former names
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| Motto | Rethinking Education |
| Type | Private college |
| Established | November 12, 1888 |
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Parent institution
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Church Educational System |
| Accreditation | NWCCU |
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Religious affiliation
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
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Academic affiliations
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Space-grant |
| President | Alvin "Trip" F. Meredith III |
| Students | 41,563 (Winter 2024) |
| Location |
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U.S.
43°49′05″N 111°47′06″W / 43.818°N 111.785°W |
| Campus | Rural, 400 acres (160 ha) |
| Newspaper | Scroll |
| Colors | Blue, black, white |
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Brigham Young University–Idaho (often called BYU–Idaho or BYU–I) is a private college located in Rexburg, Idaho. It was started in 1888 and is owned and run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For many years, it was known as Ricks College and offered two-year programs. In 2001, it became a four-year university, offering bachelor's degrees.
BYU–Idaho offers many different study programs. These include sciences, engineering, agriculture, management, and performing arts. The university has 33 departments spread across six main colleges. It is part of the Church Educational System (CES), which also supports other universities in Utah and Hawaii.
The main goal of BYU–Idaho is to provide education for students working on their first college degree. It offers 26 certificate programs, 20 associate degrees, and over 87 bachelor's degree programs. The school uses a special three-semester system, which they call "tracks."
Students at BYU–Idaho agree to follow an honor code. This code sets rules for behavior that match the teachings of the Church. It covers things like being honest in school and following certain dress and grooming standards. Most students at the college are members of the Church. Many students also take time off from their studies to serve as missionaries. Tuition costs are usually lower than at similar universities. This is because the Church helps fund the school using donations.
Contents
University History: How BYU–Idaho Began
BYU–Idaho has a long and interesting history, starting over 130 years ago. It began as a small school and grew into the large university it is today.
Early Days: Bannock and Fremont Academies
On November 12, 1888, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started the Bannock Stake Academy in Rexburg. This school was the first version of what is now BYU–Idaho. Many colleges in the western United States began as "stake academies." These schools were created by early settlers as they built new communities.
At first, these academies were like modern high schools. This was because public schools were not yet common in the area. As more people moved to the area, the Church divided the Bannock Stake. In 1898, the school was renamed the Fremont Stake Academy.
Becoming Ricks College
In 1903, the school changed its name again to Ricks Academy. This was to honor Thomas Ricks. He was an important leader in the Church when the school was founded. By the early 1900s, most stake academies had closed as public schools became more common.
Ricks Academy survived because it started offering college-level classes. In 1917, it received state approval. This allowed its graduates to teach in Idaho schools. At this time, it was called Ricks Normal College. In 1923, it became Ricks College and offered two-year programs. It stayed a two-year college for most of the 20th century.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the Church considered closing or giving Ricks College to the state of Idaho. This was due to the growth of public education and money problems for the Church. However, the state of Idaho did not accept the offer. After almost ten years of uncertainty, the Church decided to keep Ricks College open. The college gained support from local people and was officially recognized in 1936.
In the 1950s, there was another discussion about closing or moving the college. But Church president David O. McKay decided to keep it open after visiting the campus. In 1976, during the Teton Dam flood, Ricks College became a center for helping with disaster relief. By the late 1900s, Ricks College was the largest private two-year college in the country, with over 7,500 students.
The Change to BYU–Idaho
On June 21, 2000, the Church announced that Ricks College would become a four-year university. It would be called Brigham Young University–Idaho. This change officially happened on August 10, 2001.
As part of this change, the university stopped having intercollegiate sports teams. Instead, it focused on a larger program of student activities and intramural sports. The college also started its "three-track" system. This system allows students to attend during specific two-semester periods, including the spring semester. To handle the growth, campus buildings were updated. The Hyrum Manwaring Student Center was made bigger, and a new building called the BYU–Idaho Center was built. This center has an auditorium that can seat 15,000 people. These new buildings were opened in December 2010.
Exploring the BYU–Idaho Campus
The BYU–Idaho campus is located on a hill. It looks out over the city of Rexburg and the Snake River Valley. The campus covers over 400 acres (1.6 km2) and has nearly forty main buildings and student housing. The university also has other facilities nearby, like a Livestock Center.
The main campus has a planetarium, a special garden called an arboretum, and museums for geology and wildlife. There are also several athletic fields and facilities. These are used for intramural sports and student activities. The facilities include a football and track stadium, tennis courts, and the John Hart Physical Education building. This building has a gym that seats 4,000 people. It is used for sports events and concerts. It also has a fitness center, a pool, and courts for racquetball.
The BYU–Idaho Center, opened in 2010, is a very large building. It has a 15,000-seat auditorium used for weekly meetings and graduation ceremonies. The building also has a multi-purpose area with 10 basketball courts. The David O. McKay Library has over 300,000 books and other materials for students.
For arts and entertainment, the campus has the Ruth H. Barrus Concert Hall. This hall has a famous Ruffatti organ. It is one of the largest organs owned by the Church. KBYI-FM, a public radio station, also broadcasts from the campus.
How BYU–Idaho is Organized
BYU–Idaho is led by its president, Alvin "Trip" F. Meredith. He started serving in August 2023. The university is guided by a board of trustees. This board includes leaders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
BYU–Idaho is divided into six main colleges:
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- College of Business and Communication
- College of Education and Human Development
- College of Language and Letters
- College of Performing and Visual Arts
- College of Physical Sciences and Engineering
Academics: What You Can Study
BYU–Idaho offers many different types of degrees. These include two-year associate degrees and four-year bachelor's degrees. Across its six colleges, there are 33 departments. They offer more than 87 bachelor's degree programs and 20 associate degree programs. The engineering programs at BYU–Idaho are highly rated.
The school year is divided into three equal semesters. Each semester lasts 14 weeks. This is called the "three-track" system. It started in 2001 when the school became BYU–Idaho. When students are accepted, they are assigned to a specific two-semester "track." This helps balance the number of students attending throughout the year.
In Winter 2024, BYU–Idaho had over 41,500 students in total. This includes students on campus, those taking online classes, and those in internships. Students come from all 50 U.S. states and over 130 countries. Many students come from Idaho, California, Utah, Washington, and Arizona. Most students at BYU–Idaho are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Athletics and Student Activities
BYU–Idaho has changed how it approaches sports. It used to have intercollegiate teams, but now focuses on activities for all students.
Ricks Vikings: A Legacy of Sports
When the school was Ricks College, its sports teams were called the Vikings. They competed in the National Junior College Athletic Association from 1919 to 2002. The Vikings won 17 national championships and many individual titles. Over 25 football players from Ricks College went on to play professionally.
In June 2000, it was announced that the intercollegiate sports program would end. This was part of the change from a two-year college to a four-year university. The main reasons were the costs of running a college athletic department. The school also wanted to create more activities for all students to participate in.
Sports Today: Intramural Programs
Since becoming a four-year university, BYU–Idaho no longer has teams that compete against other schools. Instead, it has a strong "intracollegiate" athletics program. This means teams from within the school compete against each other. It is part of the Student Activities program. Students can join teams in many different sports throughout the year. These programs have regular seasons and playoffs, just like professional leagues.
Student Life at BYU–Idaho
Student life at BYU–Idaho is unique because of its connection to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A Spiritual Atmosphere
Almost every Tuesday, when school is in session, a special meeting called a devotional is held. During this time, no classes are held, and offices close. Students and teachers are encouraged to attend this hour-long worship service. Speakers share uplifting messages. The school's honor code also encourages students to attend church services every Sunday.
The Rexburg Idaho Temple was built next to the campus in 2008. Before that, BYU–Idaho was the only Church-affiliated university without a nearby temple.
Campus Culture and Activities
Even after changing from Ricks College to BYU–Idaho, the university has worked to keep what they call the "Spirit of Ricks." This means a campus tradition of helping others, working hard, being friendly, and cooperating. The university's location, away from a big city, and the strong moral standards taught by the school create a special student culture. There are no fraternities or sororities at BYU–Idaho.
Much of student life at BYU–Idaho involves events organized by Student Activities. They often host dances, concerts, sports events, and service projects.
Rexburg has cold winters, so winter sports like skiing and snowboarding are popular. There are two ski resorts nearby. Rexburg also has warm summers, which are great for outdoor activities. BYU–Idaho is close to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. This makes hiking, fishing, camping, and mountain biking popular summer activities.
The Honor Code
All students and teachers at BYU–Idaho agree to follow an honor code. This code sets standards for behavior. It covers things like being honest in your schoolwork, and following rules for dress and grooming.
The honor code was first created in 1940 at BYU. It was mainly used to prevent cheating. Over time, it grew to include other school standards. Today, signing a promise to live by the honor code is part of applying to all Church-affiliated schools. Students and teachers must follow these rules. If someone breaks the rules, they might be warned or asked to meet with school representatives. In some cases, students or teachers could be asked to leave the college.
Students and teachers must also get an "ecclesiastical endorsement" to be accepted. This means they meet with their local religious leaders and promise to follow the honor code. This promise is renewed each year.
Single students must live in housing approved by the college. All approved housing is close to the campus. Housing where single men and women live in the same building is not allowed. Married students can live wherever they choose.
Notable Alumni
As of Fall 2017, BYU–Idaho had about 200,000 alumni. This includes people who attended when it was an academy (like a modern high school).
Some famous alumni include:
- Rulon Gardner, who won two Olympic gold medals in wrestling.
- Fred S. Martin, an Idaho State Senator.
- Ryan Hamilton, a comedian.
- Matt Lindstrom, a professional baseball player.
- Marion G. Romney, a former leader in the First Presidency of the Church, who was the top student in his class at Ricks Academy in 1918.
