Miscellaneous
Religious Accommodation Policy - 2C14 & 3C20
Policy Statement
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is committed to nondiscrimination and equal opportunities in its admissions, educational programs, activities and employment. This commitment is evident in how the University respectfully engages with students and employees regardless of religious affiliation or non-affiliation. As part of this commitment, and in accordance with state and federal mandates, the University will reasonably accommodate the religious needs, observances, and practices of its students and employees upon request, unless such an accommodation would create an undue hardship to the University.
Definitions
Religious Practice or Belief: “Religious Practice or Belief” includes a practice or observance that is associated with traditional, organized religions and religious beliefs, as well as those that are new, uncommon and/or not part of a formal church or sect. All aspects of religious belief and observance that are sincerely held will be considered as part of this policy.
Religious Accommodation: “Religious Accommodation” is a reasonable change in the work or academic schedule or environment which enables a student or employee to practice or otherwise observe a sincerely held religious practice or belief without causing undue hardship to the University.
A reasonable religious accommodation may include, but is not limited to, time allocated for prayer , the ability to attend religious events or observe a religious holiday, vaccine exemptions, specialized housing requests, or any necessary modification to University policy, procedure or other requirement provided that such an accommodation is reasonable and does not cause undue hardship to the University or a fundamental alteration to the academic course or program.
Fundamental Alteration: “Fundamental Alteration” is a change that is so significant that it alters the essential nature of a course or a program of instruction. Determining whether a requested accommodation constitutes a fundamental alteration is highly individualized (specific to course learning outcomes, etc. as well as the requested accommodations), and requires an interactive process.
Undue Hardship: ”Undue Hardship” is a burden that is substantial in the overall context of SIUE’s operations taking into account all relevant factors, including the particular accommodation at issue and its practical impact in light of the nature, size, and operating cost of the University or the essential functions of a job. Accommodations which interfere with the safe and efficient operation of the workplace or campus, or with a bona fide seniority system will often present an undue hardship to the University.
Business Days: “Business Days” are weekdays that are not specified as University holidays or closure days.
Procedure for Seeking Religious Accommodations
Religious Accommodations must be sought in advance with the requesting party providing enough time to engage in the interactive process necessary for the University to make its determination as to accommodations.
Students seeking religious accommodations in the context of a class or other academic experience are required to notify their instructor in writing, as far in advance as possible, (preferably within the first 3 weeks of the academic term but should be no later than 15 business days prior to when the accommodation is needed ) by submitting a detailed description of the accommodations being sought, as well as relevant information as to dates, times, number of occurrences, etc. An online Religious Accommodation Request form is available for this purpose.
Employees seeking religious accommodations in the context of their job should complete the online Employee Request for Religious Accommodations form as far in advance as possible but should be no less than fifteen (15) business days prior to when the accommodation is needed.
Please note, religious accommodation requests will not be granted retroactively.
Utilizing the online form will give notice of the requested accommodation to the Equal Opportunity, Access, and Title IX Coordination (EOA) Office. EOA staff are available to students and employees to answer questions or address concerns related to religious accommodations.
Upon receipt of religious accommodation requests, EOA will promptly forward it to the requesting party’s instructor or supervisor.
Accommodation requests will be evaluated individually on a case‐by‐case basis by the appropriate instructor or supervisor, in consultation with EOA staff. Factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, the fundamental requirements of the applicable academic class or program and/or related technical standards, requirements of the department or major, essential functions of an individual’s job, duties of others in the department or job group, potential impact of the accommodation, duration of the accommodation request, and the availability of alternative accommodations.
As part of the interactive process, the Requestor may be required to meaningfully engage with their instructor/supervisor via written or spoken communication to explain the nexus between their sincerely held religious belief and the requested accommodation, as well as the specifics as to the accommodation, to further evaluate and/or implement the accommodation.
Approvals or denials will be provided in writing to the Requestor by the instructor or supervisor, as appropriate. The University is not required to accept a requested preferred accommodation if there is more than one alternative that eliminates a religious conflict and satisfies the articulated need.
Absences - Students
The University, in accordance with the University Religious Observances Act (110 ILCS 110/et seq.) will reasonably accommodate the religious observances of individual students in regard to admissions, class attendance and the scheduling of examinations and work requirements. Religious observance or religious practice includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief. See Appendix A.
A student who is unable, because of their religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination, study or work requirement and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up the examination, study or work requirement that they missed because of such absence; provided that the student notified the faculty member or work supervisor in writing, in advance of any anticipated absence or a pending conflict between a scheduled class and the religious observance and provided that the make-up examination, study or work does not create an unreasonable burden upon the University. Students shall not be subjected to any adverse or prejudicial effects because of availing themself of the provisions of this Policy. As previously noted, such requests should be sought as far in advance as possible, (preferably within the first 3 weeks of the academic term but should be no later than 15 business days prior to when the accommodation is needed) by submitting a detailed description of the accommodations being sought, as well as relevant information as to dates, times, number of occurrences, etc. An online Religious Accommodation Request form is available for this purpose.
Absence for religious reasons does not lessen a student’s responsibility for course work or material covered during their absence. It is the responsibility of the student who misses a class to catch up on any material discussed and assignments given during that class period.
Make up/Extension: If examinations or assignment deadlines are scheduled on the day(s) a student was granted a religious accommodation, the student will have the opportunity to make up the examination or extend the assignment deadline and will not be penalized for the absence.
Students involved in clinical rotations and externship programs must also provide reasonable advance notice to their site supervisor prior to any absence. Students should understand that if an accommodation is granted, missing time from a clinical or externship program may require the student to make up work or repeat the rotation in order to meet required hours of engagement.
It is also important to note that off-campus clinical rotations and externship sites are outside of the University’s jurisdiction and those locations/entities may not honor a reasonable religious accommodation approved or in place at SIUE. Any student who is seeking a religious accommodation for an off-campus clinical rotation or externship should work with their respective school official and clinical/externship site in advance of beginning the experience there. If a particular site is not able to approve a student’s religious accommodation request, the University will seek to identify potential alternative accommodations or work with the program to identify a different site for the student.
Absences – Employees
Employees who anticipate being absent from work because of a religious observance must submit their request for time off in advance, and as soon as they become aware of the need or at least fifteen (15) business days in advance. Please note Accommodations will not be granted retroactively.
Quiet Spaces and Prayer
Upon request, the University will evaluate, and where reasonable and available, provide access to quiet spaces for meditation, study and/or prayer consistent with the sincerely held religious belief and with the requirements of this Policy. Quiet spaces provided may not be available for the exclusive use of the person seeking a religious accommodation. Guidance as to the appropriate use of quiet spaces will be provided, along with information on who to contact should there be issues with appropriate use.
Appeals Process
Individuals who disagree with the outcome of their request for an accommodation(s) pursuant to this Policy should promptly address their concerns with EOA. The online EOA Discrimination Complaint form can be used for this purpose.
Efforts will be taken to address disputes at the lowest level possible including working with the instructor, academic dean, supervisor, etc.
Retaliation
Retaliation is prohibited against individuals who request a religious accommodation, utilize an approved accommodation, or otherwise engage in protected conduct under this Policy. Any person who violates this non‐retaliation provision may be subject to discipline and/or corrective action. Incidents of retaliation should be promptly reported to EOA using the online complaint form.
Complaints
The online EOA Discrimination Complaint form can be used to file a complaint based on a failure to accommodate, discrimination based on religion or related retaliation.
Policy Questions
Individuals with questions regarding this Policy and/or its application may contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, Access, and Title IX Coordination.
APPENDIX A – UNIVERSITY RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES ACT (110 ILCS 110/1.5)
Sec. 1.5. Absence of student due to religious beliefs.
(a) In this Section, "institution of higher learning" has the meaning ascribed to that term in the Higher Education Student Assistance Act.
(b) Any student in an institution of higher learning, other than a religious or denominational institution of higher learning, who is unable, because of his or her religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination, study, or work requirement and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up the examination, study, or work requirement that he or she may have missed because of such absence on a particular day; provided that the student notifies the faculty member or instructor well in advance of any anticipated absence or a pending conflict between a scheduled class and the religious observance and provided that the make-up examination, study, or work does not create an unreasonable burden upon the institution. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the student such an opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his or her availing himself or herself of the provisions of this Section.
(c) A copy of this Section shall be published by each institution of higher learning in the catalog of the institution containing the list of available courses.
(Source: P.A. 97-1038, eff. 1-1-13.)
Approved by Chancellor effective 6/24/25.
This policy was issued on June 30, 2025.
Document References: 2C14 & 3C20
Origin: OC 6/24/25
