Beginnings: A student initiative in the flag-burning ’60s started the tradition of having members of the campus community stop wherever they are on campus and stand at attention, in accordance with federal code, while the flag is raised or lowered.
Schedule: The flag is raised at 7:35 a.m. and lowered at 5:25 p.m. weekdays during fall and winter semesters. During spring and summer terms, the flag is raised Monday mornings and lowered Friday evenings.
Where: The flagpole is immediately south of the Abraham Smoot Building (ASB). The national anthem has played from speakers on the Eyring Science Center, the Spencer W. Kimball Tower, and, most recently, the Harold B. Lee Library.
Color Guard: The BYU Army and Air Force ROTC raise and lower the flag during fall and winter semesters; the ASB custodial staff performs this duty during spring and summer terms.
Length of anthem: The anthem lasts 1 minute and 13 seconds for the posting of the colors; 1 minute and 31 seconds for the retiring of the colors (the second recording has a slower tempo).
Flying at half-staff: BYU flies its flag at half-staff to honor the deaths of General Authorities, former university presidents and their wives, BYU stake presidents, full-time employees, BYU students, federal officials, and certain state and local officials. The flag is also lowered halfway for Memorial Day, national POW/MIA vigil, and Peace Officer’s Memorial Day.
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