Adopted: February 2006
Since many religious observances occur on days not designated as university holidays, the faculty and administration shall be flexible in accommodating the religious observances of students, faculty and staff. Any student who wishes to observe religious holidays that are not designated as university holidays, shall be excused from any examination, study or other academic requirement for that day.
It is the responsibility of those students who wish to be absent to make arrangements in advance by contacting the Associate Dean for Student Affairs in Years 1 and 2 and the clerkship director in Years 3 and 4. Faculty members who will be absent from class because of religious observance will inform the students and department chair/dean in advance. Staff members will notify their immediate supervisor.
The faculty and staff should be sensitive to the religious observances of students, so that students who absent themselves from class on these days are not disadvantaged. It is the responsibility of the faculty and administration to make available to each student who is absent from school, because of his or her religious beliefs, an equitable opportunity to make up examinations, or other academic requirements.
The faculty and administration will make every effort to not schedule examinations on days of religious observance which have commonly created conflict for students, faculty and staff such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid-al-fitr, and Good Friday.
Approved by Executive Committee 02.09.06
Updated July 24, 2006 (sho)