The fall season is densely populated with holidays from various religions. Not all holidays align with the school-appointed breaks, so what can students do in this case? While options exist, the best approach will vary depending on each student’s faith. For instance, although days off are not offered for holidays like Yom Kippur, which falls on Friday, October 11-12 this year,Students can request time off from individual professors and seek to reschedule any exams or extensions on assignments that coincide with these holidays. Additionally, there are resources available on campus through the Office of Student Culture and Belonging.
Some of these resources include quiet spaces for prayer, reflection, and gathering with others. On the ground floor of the Wellness Center, the quiet space is open 24/7. This area is designated for prayer or meditation and should be kept quiet at all times. On the second floor of the UCC, the Intercultural Space (ISC) is open daily from 7-8 p.m. The ISC provides a comfortable and quiet environment, making it an excellent place for students to work together.
Classroom accommodations should include the ability to reschedule exams around holidays and fasting. Additionally, students are permitted to leave class for ten minutes to pray when necessary. While attendance policies are up to the individual instructor, professors must include and abide by the university-wide statement on religious holiday policies in their syllabi:
Religious Holidays
Stevens is a diverse community that is committed to providing equitable educational opportunities and supporting students of all ethnicities and belief systems. Religious observance is an essential reflection of that rich diversity. Students will not be subject to any grade penalties for missing a class, examination, or any other course requirement due to religious observance. In addition, students will not be asked to choose between religious observance and academic work. Therefore, students should inform the instructor at the beginning of the semester if a requirement for this course conflicts with religious observance so that accommodations can be made for students to observe religious practices and complete the requirements for the course.
It has only been within the past decade that other religious holidays beyond Christian ones have been acknowledged on the school calendar as dates to acknowledge. While improvements have been made to help students succeed without compromising their faith, the best way to ensure faith-based accommodations during this holiday season is to communicate directly with your professors to explore possible solutions. With midterms approaching, good luck, and enjoy celebrating the holidays with friends and family.
