My school doesn't like my anime collection

[Arcturus]

Hi there. I'm mostly a lurker on these forums, but today I felt the need to post something.

I own an anime collection. A large anime collection. I have about a hundred DVDs, and it's always growing.

I also go to school at Brigham Young University Idaho. Yes, I know, it's a hotbed of conservatism. I am not a conservative (obviously), and have learned to get along with most of the republicans around campus. I am an active, practicing Mormon, and find no conflict between my political beliefs and my religious beliefs (consequently, I'd appreciate it if people would refrain from Mormon bashing).

The problem is, this school has an honor code. I signed an agreement to abide by this honor code. One of the clauses in the honor code says that I should not watch any R, NC-17 or X rated movies. I do not have a problem with this - I don't watch those anyway, and I don't like pornography.

However, somebody reported to the dean of students that I own pornographic anime. And so, I was summoned to the dean's office to talk with him about the subject. I suppose somebody saw a brief scene while passing by my apartment window that could have been construed as sexually suggestive.

Of course, I own no pornographic anime. Yes, there are some things that could be considered suggestive, but like I said, I don't like pornography. Why would I own any of it?

Anyway, the dean spent most of the time trying to get a confession out of me. I confessed nothing, of course. He's also asking my roommates about it (two of my roommates share my interest in anime, but don't have a large collection like I do). Unfortunately, the honor code also says that I should not have anything sexually suggestive regardless of how it's rated. That's something I disagree with (it's subjective what is and isn't suggestive), but wasn't really aware of when I first entered this school.

I've never had a problem with this before, but I'm not the only student who has had a problem with the enforcement of the honor code at this school (a few of my friends have had run-ins with them before).

I'm not sure what I should do at this point. I need to find a way to resolve this without causing more problems with the school administration. But really, I feel as though I'm under a microscope. What's worse is that I've seen NOBODY summoned to the dean's office for owning even more questionable live action material, such as James Bond movies. Heck, most network TV is cruder than any anime I have.

I'm very upset about this.

[Caution]

1. Since this is a private school

that you signed an agreement on, you are pretty much bound by that agreement unless you choose to leave the school. Can you not send anything which might be considered suggestive home for the time you are in school? Do you feel that you can affect change in this policy? Is the school something you feel strongly enough about to swallow this code of conduct for the time you are there?

[Arcturus]

5. The problem is...

This is probably a case of misinformation.

I'm not sure who reported me or what it was that instigated it, and I'd like to find out why. It could simply be that somebody saw something, took it out of context, and claimed it was pornographic. Like I said, I have no pornography in my collection.

If worse comes to worse, I could send whatever might be considered questionable to my family. Giving up my education isn't worth some cartoons.

[trogdor]

2. Porn is in the eye of the beholder.

This is a touchy subject, and defining porn is like nailing Jell-O to the wall. I would suggest asking the dean for a list of the titles in question, provide the DVD's for inspection, and let the chips fall where they may. I would also point out that...oh, this is a silly argument.

[Braden]

3. does the honor code

cover your accuser and the blatant violation of your privacy which occured?

[ikojo]

8. This is the world Ashcroft would like

Where neighbor spies upon neighbor and reports those who are transgressing against the powers that be...of course it is a narrow interpretation and that is by design.

What shows do you have?

[LuLu550]

4. Perhaps you could show the dean some of it?

Tell him you do not believe that it was a violation of the code, or you would never have brought it to school. If he feels it is not up to the standards of the school, cheerfully send it home. As previous reply states, its a private school and they make the rules. I think you should just explain yourself. You feel you have done nothing wrong, so can't "confess" to it, but if they feel it is inappropriate, you'll send it off campus.
Then take out the narcs who turned you in. :nuke:

[izzie]

6. Well this is when Mother comes in and tell you life is not fair.

It ends up you just have to do as you feel is right on this and take what is dished out. No mather what you do some thing happens for good or bad or in between but nothing stays the same. How you feel inside is how I went and I am old. Yes some of it did not turn out right. You are the one that must pick the way to go. It stinks but it is called growing up.

[TrogL]

7. I hate to be blunt but...

What did you expect?

[efhmc]

9. Sweetie, could you please tell a little old lady what this is? Also, I

think calling on your parents might be a good thing. If you are in the right here, I am sure they will want to help. Wanted to add that I feel sure they would want to help no mater what the case.

[DrWeird]

17. Anime-

highly stylized japanese animation. Enjoys wide audience, and wide variety of material. From talking dancing hamsters for the kids, to sci-fi, alien, tentacle rape for the perverts. Anime is typically confused as being only the latter, by ignorant persons such as conservative students and deans.

My advice to the orignal poster: transfer. You don't need to be spending time at a lousy institution like that.

[efhmc]

18. It defeats the idea of college for me, which I think of as a place of

higher learning and critical thinking. Don't blame me, I went to college in the 60's. Also, thank you for explaining this to me.

[efhmc]

10. To me this flies in the face of what college is about and I don't mean

pornograpy. I mean growing and learning and making personal decisions. As far as I am concerned the Dean should be MUCH more concerned about the snitch that ratted you out. Betrayal is not a Christian ethic (Judas) and a true person of character would have come to you first to discuss this "problem".

[ikojo]

11. Does the snitch and the overseer at school

realize that in Japan much anime is for small CHILDREN?

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

12. You're seeing the nature of the beast. Things can get pretty

illogical when people mix their intangibles. Sexual mores mixed with religion? No thanks. You have two choices that I see. Change schools or dump the Anime. Just be glad you didn't have a Maplethrpe collection. It would cost you a lot more to replace.



Good luck

[MaineDem]

13. BYU in Idaho?

I didn't know that.

Are any of your videos R, NC17, or X? If yes, then you obviously are in violation of the honor code.

Sorry, I have no other advice.

[Arcturus]

15. It used to be Ricks College

It was a two year school known as Ricks College. It was announced to become a four year school while I was on my mission.

[damnraddem]

14. Stick to your guns. You don't have porn. You don't have anything ...

that YOU consider sexually suggestive. If they tell you to get rid of anything, you should instead tell them to stick it up there where the sun don't shine and transfer to a school in the real world.

Last year at his high school, my son was involved in an Anime club. I thought it was wonderful -- he was involved in something social. But some parent complained, so the Anime club could no longer meet at the school. (Well, what are schools for if not to crush out any spark of curiosity, initiative, leadership, and, yes, sociability?) But universities -- they ARE, after all supposed to be dealing with adults, so treating them as adults. If they cannot maintain at least a minimum of respect for you as an adult, do you really need their miseducation and their damned dishonor code?

[Arcturus]

16. The thing about transferring...

...is that I actually was accepted to two schools in my home state of Washington when I was considering transfer (because I wasn't sure they would begin to offer junior and senior level computer science classes by the time I finished my sophomore classes...transition to a four year school and all that). I kind of regret not doing so, but on the other hand, I've made a lot of good friends where I am now, and the school does have an excellent CS program.

So, I'll know by tonight if this whole thing is going to blow over. My advisor is taking my side, so this may die out. I wish I knew who tattled, though.