Calendar-maker, BYU meet about withheld diploma

PROVO, Utah  — The designer of a Mormon

beefcake calendar met with Brigham Young University officials on Friday

in an attempt to secure his diploma, which was withheld last fall.Chad

Hardy was denied his bachelor's degree in communication studies from

BYU in September, a month after walking through graduation ceremonies.In

a letter to Hardy, a school official said a nonacademic-hold on the

diploma was the result of Hardy's excommunication from The Church of

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU is a private university owned by

the church.Hardy met with the BYU Dean of Students Vernon L. Heperi for a review Friday.In

an audio recording of the meeting provided to The Associated Press,

Heperi is heard saying the review would help him determine whether he

could "make an exception to university policy and grant the diploma,"

regardless of Hardy's excommunication.A written decision from Heperi is not expected for several weeks, Hardy said after the meeting.Hardy

was only offered the review after a volley of letters were exchanged by

his Salt Lake City-based attorney, Stephen C. Clark, and BYU's general

counsel, Michael R. Orme.Hardy invited an Associated Press reporter to attend the meeting as one of two allowed guests.Heperi

denied the AP access to the meeting and afterward ignored questions

from a reporter. An audio recording of the meeting was given to the AP

by Hardy.University officials cited confidentiality reasons in refusing to publicly discuss the specifics of Hardy's case.They

have explained, however, that BYU students must be in both academic and

ecclesiastical good standing to qualify for graduation. That includes