Miscellaneous
Accommodation of Student Religious Observances - 3G4
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.
A student 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 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 himself or herself of the provisions of this policy.
A student who believes that he or she has not been reasonably accommodated may seek redress directly with the professor of the class or supervisor. If the matter is not resolved, the student may file a student grievance pursuant to the Student Grievance Code. Students may also file a complaint with the Office of Equal Opportunity, Access and Title IX Coordination (EOA), Room 3314, Rendleman Hall, Box 1025, SIUE, Edwardsville, IL, 62026-1025, (618) 650-2333. The EOA complaint procedure is posted on the SIUE website at Policy 2C8.
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 9/22/15
This policy was issued on September 23, 2015, replacing the October 14, 2002 version.
Document Reference: 3G4
Origin: OC 3/12/02; OC 10/11/02; OC 9/22/15
