Tips for Requesting and Receiving Religious Accommodations
Below are some tips to help guide you through the process of requesting or providing religious accommodations.
Students
- Review the syllabus at the beginning of each term for conflicts between religious observances and course meetings / deliverables.
- Immediately inform the instructor of any conflicts and be prepared to provide them with information requested to understand the basis for the requested accommodation.
- This is a mutual process. You and your instructor should agree to the reasonable accommodations.
- If you and the instructor are unable to agree, you may appeal to the dean of your college or school.
- Contact Subir Sahu, Senior Vice President for Student Success, if you need assistance
Instructors
- In the course syllabus, remember to include key dates, including course meetings, the examination schedule, and due dates for written or oral assignments.
- Engage in a mutual process with the student to agree on reasonable accommodations.
- Students should be able to participate fully in educational activities while also observing religious obligations.
- You may request more information about the student's request for religious accommodations, but do not pass judgment on the student's religious faith or question the sincerity of their beliefs.
- Contact your HR Business Partner if you need assistance
Employees
- Immediately inform your supervisor of any conflicts and be prepared to provide them with information requested to understand the basis for the requested accommodation.
- Faculty members who must reschedule course meetings due to religious observance should coordinate with their Department Head and the Office of the Registrar.
- This is a mutual process. You and your supervisor should agree to the reasonable accommodations.
- If you and your supervisor are unable to agree, contact your Human Resources Business Partner.
- Contact your HR Business Partner if you need assistance
Supervisors
- Engage in a mutual process with your supervisee to agree on reasonable accommodations.
- Faculty, professional staff, and other employees should be able to participate fully in workplace activities while also observing religious obligations.
- You may request more information about the employee's request for religious accommodations, but do not pass judgment on the employee's religious faith or question the sincerity of their beliefs.
- Contact your HR Business Partner if you need assistance
Individuals who believe they have experienced religious discrimination or harassment may report it to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance.