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Religious observance

С»Æ贫ý recognizes the right of each student to observe religious holidays and practices. If a religious holiday or practice occurs during a time when a student has a scheduled С»Æ贫ý class and/or college event, the student has a right to accommodation. The Religious Observance Procedures were developed to guide students through the process of seeking accommodation, which includes being excused from a С»Æ贫ý class and/or college event, and finding an alternative way for the student to meet any missed educational requirements.

Student guide to religious observance accommodations

С»Æ贫ý is enriched by a diverse student body and respects the importance of religious beliefs and practices. С»Æ贫ý supports a student’s right to religious observance. If you are seeking accommodation due to a religious belief or practice, please email the С»Æ贫ý instructors or С»Æ贫ý staff members from whom you are seeking accommodation. The email that you send must include the following:

1. Your name and С»Æ贫ý G#
2. Class CRN and title, or name and location of the class
3. Reason for accommodation
4. Specific dates of absence or other requested accommodation
5. Optional: Suggestion of reasonable accommodation (examples could include, alternative exam time, assignment deadline extension, contact classmate to get notes, or alternative assignment)

A religious belief and religious practice are defined as something that is religious in nature and is sincerely held. It’s important to note that a student will not be required to provide documentation verifying participation in religious observance.

A student has the right to a reasonable accommodation to observe a religious practice that may conflict with a class requirement. This may include missing a class session or a test, or being excused from an assignment or activity that conflicts with religious beliefs.

A reasonable accommodation is defined as a change to an academic course, program, or activity that enables a student to observe religious beliefs or practices and does not create an undue hardship on С»Æ贫ý or fundamentally alter an educational requirement of С»Æ贫ý. This means that a test, for example, may be moved to a date and time that no longer conflicts with a religious holiday, but you will still need to take the test because it is an educational requirement of С»Æ贫ý.

It is also important to keep in mind that the accommodation does not create an undue hardship on С»Æ贫ý, which means that the accommodation does not create a significant burden on the college or other students. For example, if you are observing a religious holiday that requires you to miss a class on a Wednesday, you cannot expect that the faculty member meets with you on a weekend day to provide the instruction that you missed.

A religious preference is defined as an activity or custom that is not part of a religious belief but rather an individual’s preference in time, place, or manner of expressing or fulfilling a religious belief or practice. For example, leaving a class early to pick up groceries for a religious observance happening later in the day is a preference of how you spend your time, not a religious practice. A religious preference is not eligible for accommodation.

Purpose

С»Æ贫ý (С»Æ贫ý) is enriched by a diverse student body and respects the importance of religious beliefs and practices. С»Æ贫ý supports a student’s right to religious observance, including, but not limited to, prayer, meditation, diet, attire, ablution, absence for religious holidays, or other practices grounded in religious belief.

С»Æ贫ý expects all faculty, staff, and administrators to provide reasonable accommodations for religious observances for all students in accordance with С»Æ贫ý’s policy on religious accommodations, which states:

Upon the timely request of a student, reasonable accommodations will be made available for the religious practices and beliefs of students. Such reasonable accommodation will be provided if it does not create an unreasonable hardship on С»Æ贫ý or fundamentally alter an educational requirement of С»Æ贫ý. С»Æ贫ý need not provide reasonable accommodation for religious preferences. С»Æ贫ý may limit religious practices or behavior that would put public safety, health, or human rights and freedoms of others at risk. С»Æ贫ý may also limit religious practices or behaviors that violate other С»Æ贫ý policies or the law.

Definitions

1. Reasonable accommodation: A change to an academic course, program, or activity that enables a student to observe their religious beliefs or practices and does not create an undue hardship on С»Æ贫ý or fundamentally alter an educational requirement of С»Æ贫ý. The reasonable accommodation provided need not be the accommodation requested.
2. Undue hardship: Undue hardship is a significant or substantial burden taking into account in all relevant circumstances. Undue hardship generally requires a showing of more than a “de minimis” impact, and an undue hardship must be genuine and not merely speculative.
3. Religious belief or practice: A practice or observance that is sincerely held and is religious in nature from the perspective of the individual requesting the religious accommodation.
4. Religious preference: An activity or custom that is not part of a religious belief but rather an individual’s preference in time, place, or manner of expressing or fulfilling a religious belief or practice.

Procedures for students

Accommodation within a С»Æ贫ý instructional course

Requests for religious accommodations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To seek accommodation for a С»Æ贫ý course due to religious observance or practice, a student should inquire about accommodations with the student’s instructor(s) at least two weeks in advance (when possible), by use of С»Æ贫ý email that includes

1. Student name
2. Student’s college identification number (G#)
3. Class CRN and title, or name and location of the class
4. Reason for accommodation
5. Specific date(s) of absence or other requested accommodation
6. Optional: Suggestion of reasonable accommodation (examples could include, alternative exam time, assignment deadline extension, contact classmate to get notes, or alternative assignment)

Students are not required to provide third-party documentation verifying the need for accommodation.

The С»Æ贫ý instructor who receives the email is expected to respond within one week and engage in an interactive discussion or process with the student to determine if the request can be accommodated without creating an undue hardship. If the student’s requested accommodation would create an undue burden, the instructor and student should explore alternatives. The instructor is encouraged to contact their direct supervisor for advice and guidance if necessary.

In accordance with С»Æ贫ý guidelines, absence from classes or examinations for religious reasons does not excuse students from fulfilling any part of the course work required during the period of absence. If the student fails to satisfactorily complete any alternative assignment or examination, the faculty member may apply the same grading consequences as for other students.

Non-instructional accommodation

To seek accommodation for a non-instructional activity due to religious observance or practice, a student should inquire about accommodations with the С»Æ贫ý staff member leading the activity at least two weeks in advance (when possible), by use of С»Æ贫ý email that includes,

1. Student name
2. Student’s college identification number (G#)
3. Class CRN and title, or name and location of college event
4. Reason for accommodation
5. Specific date(s) of absence or other accommodation
6. Optional: Proposal of reasonable accommodation (e.g., alternative activity or date)

Students are not required to provide third-party documentation verifying the need for accommodation.

The С»Æ贫ý employee who receives the email is expected to respond within one week and engage in an interactive discussion or process with the student to determine if the request can be accommodated without creating an undue hardship. If the student’s requested accommodation would create an undue burden, the С»Æ贫ý employee and student should explore alternatives. The С»Æ贫ý employee is encouraged to contact their direct supervisor for advice and guidance if necessary.

Complaint process

If a student believes that a reasonable accommodation was not provided, the student should submit an online complaint form found in the “Complaints” section of the appeals, complaints, and feedback page.