Dear Stephanie,
Your Geo Gnome has traveled to Rexburg, Idaho. Although similarities exist to other small towns in the western United States, Rexburg is primarily known as a college town and the site of a newly dedicated Mormon temple. Formerly, it was famous as the location of Ricks College, a Church school that caters to college students of the Latter-day Saint faith. However, a few years ago the school was upgraded to university status and accreditation. Therefore, the name was changed to Brigham Young University Idaho to accommodate those students seeking to graduate with a four year degree in a wide variety of major programs. Religious instruction is available and class sizes are smaller than those in larger universities. Emphasis is made to continue the “Spirit of Ricks”. Classes are available year round with an unusual Three Track System. A flexible curriculum where students have quite a lot of control regarding their academic plan and can take a wider variety of classes than elsewhere, makes it a distinctive learning environment. The instructors have a focus on teaching rather than research or consulting. Acceptance into the university is easier to achieve than to the Provo campus of Brigham Young University as a lower ACT score and grade point average is permitted for entrance into Bachelor Degree programs of study. However, there is a projected enrollment cap of 11,600. The male/female ration is 46/54. Students attend from all 50 U.S. states and come from over 40 countries. There are 49 four-year degree programs and 16 two-year degree programs. Rexburg has a population of 17,500 not including BYU-Idaho student. The average high temperature is 29 in January, 57 in April, 84 in July, and 60 in October. The average low temperature is 10 in January, 30 in April, 49 in July, and 29 in October. Although the average full-time student spends fifteen hours a week in class, a lot of college life takes place outside the classroom. Since the upgrade there have been some drastic changes to some of the activities offered and the curriculum that is available. For example, the athletic program was changed to accommodate more informal student participation. Involvement in a wide array of cultural activities and service projects has also been increased and some alterations have been made to the existing status quo. Opportunites are given for hands-on learning in the arts and many forms of entertainment are widely available to students with the new Activities Program where students are not just spectators, they can plan, teach, organize and actively participate. Leadership is encouraged. Internships are often required in programs to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences. The dress code on campus is extremely conservative and students are required to sign an Honor Code requiring the adherence to strict rules governing grooming and dress. For example, girls are not permitted to wear their hair in braids and they are not allowed to wear ¾ length pants, capris, or shorts (unless specifically required for sports.) Young men are required to be clean-shaven with short haircuts and no earrings. Sloppy dress is not tolerated. High moral standards are also expected. With over 25 restaurants, 4 movie theaters with10 screens, 2 large parks and 2 golf courses and 5 more within 30 minutes there is a lot to do for recreational purposes. Nearby attractions include: St. Anthony Sand Dunes, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. A dozen lakes within 60 miles and 3 ski resorts within 90 miles. The school annually hosts the Gem State Classic which is a Ballroom Dance Competition open to college and high school participants on dance teams in the surrounding states.
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