Silence speaks volumes

For a school so worried about perceptions and image, the silence by the university over misconduct by football players is deafening.

BYU had an ugly problem within its athletic program — specifically with football players and a party that included booze and sex in January.

Where's the statement of outrage? Where's the quote about intolerance of such activity? What is the outcome? What are the corrections? How will misperceptions — if there are any — be clarified for the public as to what happened Jan. 16 at an off-campus house? Did local and national reports linking a group sex party and drinking to recruits incorrectly compare this to activities of scandal-ridden University of Colorado? Or is it so? If not, how about setting everyone straight?

Having posed the questions, I must admit that privately owned BYU has every right to not say a single word. BYU officials are perfectly within their rights to hide behind a federal privacy law prohibiting information about students.

OK, so, leave out the names. Just address the issues. Do something.

Names of half a dozen punished players leaked out from the athletic department and were posted in media reports last month. These players were portrayed as criminals although no illegal activity took place.

Surfacing in this manner, the named players were associated with the worst of school honor code violations. In reality, some had less involvement than others. We may never receive a clarification unless each athlete waives certain rights and corrects the record — or allows the university to do it for them.

Now, some parents have lawyers poking around for answers from BYU.

It is understandable BYU's silence provides an atmosphere for in-house investigations and declarations so the honor code office can operate with an open mind. And, again, BYU buys the rights to keep quiet.

But it would be helpful for BYU to explain some of its laundry. We don't need to know details of dirt or stains. But philosophically, and in terms of enhanced operations or corrections, why not discuss concerns and actions?

For instance, here are a few items many of Cougar faithful would like explained. If you ask for their money, why not deliver some answers?

• Is there enough supervision of off-campus housing for athletes?

• Is the effort to educate non-LDS students about honor code issues successful in the face of so many failures and if not, what is the university doing? What is the athletic department doing that hasn't been done?