Month: October 2026

As the percentage of married students at Brigham Young University declines (only 17% in 2025), the Mormon school is organizing singles-oriented events to increase male-female interaction (Chronicle of Higher Education Daily Briefing, August 14th online).  

But now, BYU has taken a step that is generating considerable controversy on campus.  Its Admissions Office is actively recruiting brunette and raven-haired female students in an attempt to cater to male undergraduates who are “tired of dating blondes,” according to BYU President C. Shane Reese. 

Not surprisingly, many BYU females are furious.  “I am more than willing to dye my hair brown or black, but no one has ever asked me to, and wouldn’t doing that violate the ban on DEI activities?” says Stacey Smythe-Smith, a BYU junior who is captain of the Cheerleading, Field Hockey, and Competitive Jello-Mold Squads.  “This sucks.  My boyfriend just left me for some bikini-waxed hussy who grew up in Rio de Janeiro.  Her first name is Valentina, and when she pronounces it, she does it really slow and sultry, so it takes, like, a whole minute.  She does it that way just to torture me.  She’s not even Mormon.”

In January 2027, approximately 75 students from Spelman College in Atlanta will use the NCAA’s transfer portal to enroll at BYU.  They have all agreed to convert. 

“How to Make Oral Exams Work for You” is the optimistic title of a recent Chronicle of Higher Education article aimed at AI-bedeviled professors (September 17th online).  

But let’s be realistic.  A review of questions from oral exams at colleges and universities around the country suggests that rigorous academic standards are frequently being compromised across a variety of disciplines.   Consider the following 10 examples that we have verified here at University Life:

College of William and Mary (Astronomy 215): “How do you feel about stars?  How do you think they feel about you?” 

Boston University (Clinical Psychology 460): “For whom is the phrase Freudian Slip named?  Hint: the name rhymes with Floyd.”

Amherst College (Philosophy 364): “Which one of the following is not like the others: Spinoza, Aristotle, Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Bad Bunny?”  

Harvard University (Sociology 212): “Discuss the writing of James Baldwin in a way that would not result in your being sued by the Department of Education for DEI violations.”

College of Charleston (World Religions 112): “If Judaism were a breakfast cereal, would it contain sugar?  Explain.”

Northwestern University (Civil Engineering 617): “Are bridges more important than tunnels?  Why, or why not?”

Carnegie Mellon University (Physics 310): “Is String Theory compatible with the notion that Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, was a virgin?”

Columbia University (Political Science 200): “Which four members of President Trump’s cabinet — past or present — most resemble Hermann Göring, Heinrich Himmler, Joseph Goebbels, and Eva Braun?”

Bucknell University (Chemistry 137): “Why is the Periodic Table a table, rather than a folding chair or sofa?  Your answer should demonstrate an understanding of both chemistry and furniture.”

Syracuse University (English 414): “Discuss three novels other than Don Quixote that feature windmills.”

It may be time to bring back those blue books.