Class Absences for Religious Observances Policy

The University of the Incarnate Word welcomes persons of diverse backgrounds and is therefore committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students wanting to attend religious observances even though they may conflict with university class meetings, assignments, or examinations. This policy is intended to ensure that both faculty and students are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities in the accommodation of students' religious observances.

Policy Requirements

1. Notification of Faculty

   Students must inform instructors in writing at least two weeks before the religious holy days or religious activities, but preferably at the beginning of the semester, to enable planning and coordination of class assignments and examinations. In some professional schools, the Dean’s approval will also be required.

2. Making up missed work

   1. With instructor permission, make-up exams and assignments will be scheduled to be completed

      before the religious observance if possible or within a reasonable and specified time after the

      observance;

   2. Make-up work must be equivalent to and no more difficult than the original assignments;

   3. It is not appropriate to excuse a student from make-up work and consequently reduce the student’s

      grade;

   4. Students are not required to prove attendance at religious observances in order to complete make-up work and complete courses;

   5. Because of time limitations at the end of the semester, this policy does not apply to the final exam

      period; students do have the option of requesting an incomplete grade (IP) for the course if the

      religious observance occurs at the end of the semester.

3. Disputes and Appeals

   Should disagreements arise over any aspect of this policy, the student or instructor should contact the Office of the Dean of the College or School that has oversight over the respective course. The procedures for the Student Complaint Policy are found in the UIW Student Handbook & Student Code of Conduct.

4. Communication of Policy

   1. The policy and procedure above are to be printed in the UIW Student Handbook & Student Code

      of Conduct.

   2. International Student & Scholar Services will include the policy in the International Student

      Handbook and Welcome Week literature.

   3. The policy will be included in the Faculty Handbook (Chapter 7 Policies and Procedures on

      Instruction).

   4. The policy as stated above will be included in the Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletins under

      “Attendance”.

   5. Faculty will include the following statement in the course syllabus and announce the procedure the

      first day of class.

      Class Absences for Religious Observances

      The University of the Incarnate Word welcomes persons of diverse backgrounds and is therefore committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students wanting to attend religious observances and who will miss class. Students must inform instructors at least two weeks prior to attending a religious observance. Students use the form found in the UIW Student Handbook & Student Code of Conduct to request accommodations from the instructor.