Editing Rex E. Lee (section)

==BYU presidency==
As president of BYU, Lee oversaw the creation of clear standards on employment requirements and academic freedom, especially in terms of religious education. Lee believed that religious perspectives in the classroom promote academic freedom rather than hinder it.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Waterman|first=Bryan|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39335080|title=The Lord's university : freedom and authority at BYU|date=1998|publisher=Signature Books|others=Brian Kagel|isbn=1-56085-117-1|location=Salt Lake City|oclc=39335080}}</ref>{{rp|4,15}} He also oversaw the streamlining of graduation requirements to aid students in graduating more quickly. Specifically, he limited major requirements to 60 credit hours, encouraging graduation within four years or eight semesters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaspe |first1=Joanna |title=4-year graduation possible with credit-hour chan |url=https://universe.byu.edu/1996/04/19/4year-graduation-possiblernnwith-credithour-chan/ |access-date=May 8, 2019 |work=The Daily Universe |publisher=Brigham Young University |date=April 19, 1996}}</ref> Furthermore, he reinstated weekly university devotionals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Alice-Anne |title=Devotional traditions change over the years |url=https://universe.byu.edu/2002/01/07/devotional-traditions-change-over-the-years/ |access-date=May 8, 2019 |work=The Daily Universe |publisher=Brigham Young University |date=January 7, 2002}}</ref> His administration was responsible for growing the size of the campus and prestige of the university.<ref name="past">{{cite news |last1=Whatcott |first1=Andrea |title=Brigham Young University presidents, past and present |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/top/2334/10/Rex-E-Lee-Brigham-Young-University-presidents-past-and-present.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419193235/https://www.deseretnews.com/top/2334/10/Rex-E-Lee-Brigham-Young-University-presidents-past-and-present.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |access-date=April 19, 2019 |work=Deseret News |publisher=Deseret News Publishing Company |date=March 12, 2014}}</ref> In 1993, Lee decided BYU would offer lower tuition for summer semester to increase enrollment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tuition rates to go up again in 1999 |url=https://universe.byu.edu/1998/11/23/tuition-rates-to-go-up-again-in-1999/ |access-date=May 8, 2019 |work=The Daily Universe |publisher=Brigham Young University |date=November 23, 1998}}</ref> While president, Lee instituted a rule that added regular church attendance as a requirement for attending BYU (though regular church attendance was not defined), stating that the rule would not be used to force church attendance but that those best fitted to BYU's environment would, "cheerfully participate in church activity".<ref name=":0" />{{rp|156}}

In 1993 and 1994, controversy arose when two professors were terminated at BYU. Arguments arose with some claiming that they were fired due to their outspoken beliefs (one of which was supportive of the Pro-choice movement) that were not in line with the LDS Church, while administrators claimed it was strictly due to academic performance.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|218–229}} These allegations sparked accusations of an "anti-feminist" BYU, which Lee denied, affirming that feminists were welcome on BYU campus.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|314}} Lee also introduced "question and answer" sessions for faculty, students, and staff as well as additions to the physical plant of the university. Furthermore, he emphasized university devotional attendance and encouraged school spirit.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bateman |first1=Merrill J. |title=Lee praised as one of the "great men" Pres. |url=https://universe.byu.edu/1996/03/12/lee-praisedrnnas-one-of-thernngreat-menrnnrnnpres/ |access-date=May 8, 2019 |work=The Daily Universe |publisher=Brigham Young University |date=March 12, 1996}}</ref> In 1994, Lee created a committee to raise $250 million for the "Lighting the Way Capital Campaign" for the benefit of BYU and [[BYU-Hawaii]] to reach accreditation. The campaign was completed in December 1999, having earned over $400 million.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Meager |first1=Amber |title=Former BYU President's dream being realized |url=https://universe.byu.edu/2000/03/14/former-byu-presidents-dream-being-realized/ |access-date=May 8, 2019 |work=The Daily Universe |publisher=Brigham Young University |date=March 14, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nielse |first1=Janna |title=BYU seeking $250 million to meet accreditation |url=https://universe.byu.edu/1996/04/09/byu-seeking-250-millionrnnto-meet-accreditation/ |access-date=May 8, 2019 |work=The Daily Universe |publisher=Brigham Young University |date=April 9, 1996}}</ref>

Before Lee's tenure as BYU president was over, he struggled with lymphoma and peripheral neuropathy.<ref name="la" /> He served as BYU's president from July 1, 1989, to December 31, 1995. He died at age 61, less than three months after resigning as president of BYU.<ref name="nyt" /> During Lee's funeral, BYU classes were canceled for two hours to allow students to attend the funeral.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Audrey |title=Y students, past and present, remember unusual eve |url=https://universe.byu.edu/1998/03/22/y-students-past-and-present-remember-unusual-eve/ |access-date=May 8, 2019 |work=The Daily Universe |publisher=Brigham Young University |date=March 22, 1998}}</ref>