BYU yanks its approval of Branbury Park complex

PROVO -- Among Brigham Young University students there is a long- running rumor about an apartment complex located in "Provo's armpit" where tenant behavior would make most Cougars blush.

"They always say, 'The sacrament trays come back at full at Branbury,' " said former Branbury Park tenant Hilari Jackson, referring to a sacred ordinance reserved for worthy members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Drinking, smoking and sexual escapades are only a few of the vices that the large complex at 449 W. 1720 North is supposedly prone to -- if you believe the hype.

Apparently, BYU officials do. Last week, the university's Off- Campus Housing office revoked Branbury's BYU endorsement, which is necessary for single BYU students under age 25 to live there.

"The environment is not conducive to moral and spiritual growth," BYU housing manager Garry Briggs told the Deseret Morning News.

While Briggs declined to comment on the specifics of Branbury's alleged indiscretions, he said the decision to deny approval to Branbury this year was the culmination of several problematic years.

"It's been happening for a long time," Briggs said. "We have received numerous student complaints."

Many of the complaints, Briggs admitted, have been followed up by the BYU Honor Code office, which oversees violations of the school's moral code that prohibits premarital sex, the use of alcohol and tobacco, and having members of the opposite sex in student bedrooms.

All students attending the university have to sign an agreement to abide by the Honor Code. Additionally, all tenants -- whether BYU students or not -- have to sign a similar contract to live in BYU- approved housing.

"BYU was always telling us how good we were doing," said Branbury office manager Maryann Rushton. "They say they've had past complaints, but we really haven't had any. I think it's a personal attack."

Other Branbury employees and residents expressed shock at BYU's decision, which was addressed in a letter Briggs sent to Branbury tenants. In it, BYU students are given the option of staying at the complex until their current contracts expire or giving Branbury management a 5-day written notice to terminate their contracts immediately.

More than a dozen renters have chosen to do the latter already and more are expected, Rushton said. Phone calls have flooded the office, prompting Branbury to send out its own letter.

"Although we have lost approval status with BYU, we will not deviate from our commitment to make Branbury Park a community for those also committed to a higher standard of living," writes Branbury owner Michelle Knapp.

BYU freshman Shannon Heywood doesn't plan on going anywhere until her contract expires in August. With a nice apartment, good roommates and a supportive LDS ward, Heywood said she has no reason to worry about Branbury's reputation.

"We have ward prayer. We have bishop's interviews," Heywood said. "Everyone is 'churchy' here. Everything is "churchy' here."

Most of Branbury's problems are the result of half-truths and rumors, said Jackson's husband, Jason, also a former Branbury resident. He said that indiscretions at the apartments are no worse than at any Provo complex with "guys making out with their girlfriends all the time."

"Branbury's reputation has always been way worse than it really is," Jason Jackson said. "They've probably just gotten more complaints based on numerology."

With seven buildings and 311 units, Branbury is larger than most BYU-approved apartment complexes. Briggs denies that size factored into BYU's decision.

Married couple Bryan and Erin Whales say they enjoy living at Branbury and haven't seen much to warrant all the rumors. Except -- Erin Whales suddenly remembers -- for the bad habit of their downstairs neighbor.

"It smells like smoke all the time," she said.

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