expectation of LDS parents. The fact that the OP is seeking the name of a "big donor" who doesn't even know the OP or his son to put pressure on the university is an example of the type of behaviors BYU is forced to deal with. And what was BYU's crime based on the facts of that message? The admission office wouldn't waive a requirement for a letter of recommendation? The student apparently tried to obtain this recommendation at the last moment and during the summer when the teacher isn't available. That's BYU's fault? They wouldn't waive a requirement that the deferment be supported by a mission call? Why wait so long to speak with BYU about this issue? The bottom line is that the moment BYU waives one of those requirements, particularly when that request for a waiver is made so late, is the moment several other parents "demand" the same waivers. It's unfortunate that the student's situation was altered by the pandemic and family decisions. It's unfortunate that the student hasn't been able to get his mission call as quickly as he has hoped. But this student isn't the only one seeking waivers to requirements, and the family appears to have made many mistakes with this process. If BYU starts waiving its requirements based on last-minute calls from parents facing bad luck or unplanned events, the waivers would soon consume the rules.