|
Although Northwestern
University does not as an institution observe religious
holidays, the academic calendar is designed to avoid conflicts
with observed holidays, such as July 4, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving,
New Year's Day, and Christmas. As the diversity of our community
has increased, additional religious holidays now affect
a significant number of students and faculty. Consistent
with our commitment of creating an academic community that
is respectful of and welcoming to persons of differing backgrounds,
we believe that every reasonable effort should be made to
allow members of the university community to observe their
religious holidays without jeopardizing the fulfillment
of their religious obligations.
In particular, we believe
that
-
Faculty should provide
course syllabi at the beginning of each term that specify
dates of exams and due dates of assignments. Every effort
should be made to avoid scheduling exams on religious
holidays. (A calendar of religious holidays will be maintained
on the Office of the University Chaplain web site.) It
is the responsibility of students to review these syllabi
as soon as they are distributed and to consult the faculty
member promptly regarding any possible conflicts. Upon
the timely request of students, faculty members should,
whenever possible, reschedule exams and assignment deadlines
that fall on religious holidays. In some cases, it may
be advisable for the student to change sections or courses.
-
Students should not
be penalized for class absences because of religious holidays.
Students should notify the faculty member of conflicts
due to religious holidays well in advance of any anticipated
absence. If asked, the student should provide accurate
information about the obligations entailed in the observance
of that particular holiday.
In the past, issues such
as those raised in this statement have been successfully handled
by informal discussions among students, faculty, and administrators,
when necessary. We hope and expect that such accommodations
will continue to be made in the future. In the event, however,
that agreement can not be reached through informal means,
the student or faculty member should bring the issue to the
office of the relevant school dean or, if necessary, to the
Provost's office. In the event that advice in resolving the
issue is needed, the Provost may seek the counsel of a three
person committee chaired by the University Chaplain and including
a student nominated by the Associated Student Government and
a faculty member nominated by the General Faculty Committee.
Holidays observed by
many members of the university community include, but are
not limited to: Rosh Hashanah; Yom Kippur; Sukkot; Passover;
Shavuot; 'Id al-Fitr; 'Id al-Adha, and Good Friday. Information
about these holidays and the dates of their observance is
available on the web page maintained by the University Chaplain.
More detailed information is also available on this web site.
Please note that Jewish holidays begin at sundown the evening
before the date listed.
Lawrence B. Dumas
Provost
|
