I don’t know where or when this photo was shot but, see these two guys?

To me, this photograph represents over 300 demerits and one expulsion. At one time or another, these two guys were the head disciplinarians at Bob Jones University. Their job was not teaching or educating, but enforcement of the rules and punishing those who broke the rules. That’s how I remember them. That is their legacy.

Below is a BJU “Demerit Slip” from the early to mid 1980s…

Sorry about the watermark, but thieves have stolen before…

One or two demerits — even 10 or 25 — was no big deal. Per semester, a student was allowed 75. If you actually received 75 demerits in a semester, you were notified, counseled, and “Permanently Campused” — you were no longer able to leave campus until the end of the semester. If a student received 150 demerits (or more) over the entire year (two semesters), then that student was subject to expulsion. Of course, the demerit counter would “reset” at the end of the year, so you could start the new fall semester with zero demerits, and hope for the best.

Over the course of four years, I accumulated varying amounts of demerits per year. Added up, and including the year I was expelled, I had well over 300. Most of mine were for hair violations (yes, “hair” – it was either too long or too full), music violations, fighting, and horseplay — certainly nothing serious. Ever. No one got hurt. Pranks, mostly.

Here’s a list of the demerit rules — and the appropriate code number so they could be cataloged against you…

01 Failure to pass room inspection.
06 Disregarding “Do Not Disturb” sign.
07 After light bell infraction (eating or studying).
08 Breach of dress (minor or major).
11 Horseplay (minor or major)
13 In another dorm before rising bell.
15 Absent from meal.
16 In or out of bed before or after rising bell or lights out bell.
17 Back to bed after monitor check.
18 Noise or disturbance.
19 Lending or borrowing.
25 Improper classroom behavior.
26 Studying in chapel, class, etc.
27 Late haircut.
28 Long hair.
30 Questionable music.
32 Attending wrong Vespers or meal.
34 Failure to sign attendance or time sheet.
35 Failure to meet D.C. (Discipline Committee)
36 Failure to answer a Call Slip
46 Late leaving (Sat. or Sun.) or late returning to dorm.
47 Misuse of phone (minor or major).
50 Direct disobedience
51 Refusing to give name.
53 Misuse of permission.
54 Off campus without permission.
58 Cheating.
59 Stealing.
60 Untruthfulness.
67 Insubordination.
68 Absent ISC or volunteer responsibility.
73 Absent from work.
74 Late for work.
75 Absent from required activity.
76 Late for required activity.
81 Gum chewing (in an auditorium).
82 Absent from religious service.
84 Late permission or excuse.
86 Meal Host or Hostess absence.
93 Absent from major test or project.
OTHER Explain on lower reverse.

“Other” — that always cracks me up. It’s like “if we left anything out…”

Seriously, would you want your legacy to be enforcing a silly set of juvenile rules on 18 to 22 (and older) year-olds?