Policy on Reasonable Accommodation for Students Religious Observances (Policy 38)
Approved By:
Elaine P. Maimon
Issued:
Revised:
Last Reviewed:
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Purpose
Governors State University will not discriminate against students for any religious observance. “Religious observance” includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief. Governors State University will reasonably accommodate the religious observances of individual students in regard to admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations, study, and academic work requirements.
- Any student who is unable, because of the student’s religious observance, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or academic work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination, study, or academic work requirement and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up the examination, study, or academic work requirement that the student may have missed because of such absence on a particular day; provided, however, that the make-up examination, study, or academic work does not create an unreasonable burden upon the institution. The student must notify the administrator/faculty member/instructor in writing at least three class periods or two weeks whichever is shorter in advance of any anticipated absence or pending conflict between a scheduled class, examination, study, or academic work requirement and the religious observance.
- Accommodations considered to create an unreasonable burden are those that would necessitate the modification of academic standards or impose undue hardship on the university, faculty, or staff.
- No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of the student availing themselves of the provisions of this policy.
- If a student feels that they have been discriminated against, redress can be sought through the Student Grievance Procedure.
This policy must be published annually in the Student Handbook and the University Catalog.