Provost's letter on religious observances
August 23, 2006
MEMORANDUM
TO: Deans, Directors, Chairpersons
FROM: Kim Wilcox, Provost
RE: University Policy on Religious Observance
As our campus and community becomes increasingly multicultural, faculty may experience an increase in the number of requests for academic accommodations related to absence for the observance of religious holidays. Michigan State University has long had a policy recognizing that many individuals observe religious holidays associated with their particular faiths. The MSU policy on religious observance which follows is stated in the on-line Faculty Handbook at http://www.hr.msu.edu/HRsite/Documents/Faculty/Handbooks/Faculty/Instruction/v-religiousobservance.htm and also on page 96 of Academic Programs 2005-07 for reference by faculty and students.
It has always been the policy of the University to permit students and faculty/academic staff to observe those holidays set aside by their chosen religious faith.
The faculty and staff should be sensitive to the observance of these holidays so that students who absent themselves from classes on these days are not seriously disadvantaged. It is the responsibility of those students who wish to be absent to make arrangements in advance with their instructors. It is also the responsibility of those faculty who wish to be absent to make arrangements in advance with their chairpersons/directors, who shall assume the responsibility for covering their classes.
Faculty are encouraged to announce early in the semester to students that they are responsible for making arrangements in advance of their absence. Faculty should also review their syllabi and semester plans to determine whether or not scheduling is likely to disadvantage students. For example, a one-evening-only review session for a major exam (although optional) scheduled during a religious observance may be impossible to accommodate. Some instructors attempt to cover all reasons for student absences from required academic events such as quizzes or exams with a blanket policy, e.g., allowing the student to drop one grade or two quizzes without penalty. If this is meant to extend to religious observances, the instructor should state this clearly at the beginning of the term. If instructors require make-up exams, they retain the right to determine the content of the exams and the conditions of administration, giving due consideration to equitable treatment. Resources for planning for religious holidays are available at the following websites, http://www.interfaithcalendar.org and/or http://www.indiana.edu/~deanfac/rel_hol_cal.html.
In the absence of a simple and dignified way to determine the validity of individual claims, we should accept the claim of a religious conflict at face value. We should also be aware that some degrees of observance may have a more extensive period of observance. Instructors may expect a reasonable limit to the number of requests by any one student.
As we begin the new academic year, I should like to emphasize our continuing commitment to this policy. Whether one ascribes to the tenets of a particular faith or to none, each of us should find security in the tradition of religious pluralism which has characterized American society and which underlies the University’s policy.
Our practices must conform to our commitments. Thus, I ask all University personnel to be sensitive to religious observance requests by students, faculty and staff. Working together as people of good will, I am confident that we can continue to build an environment that fosters pluralism and inclusion.
JPY:rp8.21rel.doc