Five Brigham Young University students have been referred for school disciplinary action for using a computer network to view what the school said were pornographic materials.
The students accessed the materials on Internet, an international educational computer network, through BYU's computer network, Y-NET.The students were referred to the school's honor code office.
"Pornography in any form is an aggregate concern. This is a communication tool that has been gregariously used," said school spokesperson Margaret Smoot. "Students, staff and faculty are all admonished to remember that computer use falls under the honor code - it is not to be abused and misuse could lead to expulsion."
Smoot said network users will be required to sign a statement agreeing not to engage in any activity that does not comply with the Honor Code and LDS Church principles, such as "use of the Y-NET to view, store or transfer pornographic, erotic, indecent or other offensive materials."
"Students just need to understand that electronic pornography is no different than paper pornography," said Kelly McDonald, executive director of university computer services.