Information for Faculty on Accommodating Religious Observances

Illinois law requires the university to reasonably accommodate its students' religious beliefs, observances, and practices in regard to admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and work requirements.

Illinois State Law

(110 ILCS 110/) University Religious Observances Act.

(110 ILCS 110/1) (from Ch. 144, par. 2101)
Sec. 1. A public institution of higher education shall adopt a policy which reasonably accommodates the religious observance of individual students in regard to admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and work requirements. This policy shall include a grievance procedure by which a student who believes that he or she has been unreasonably denied an educational benefit due to his or her religious belief or practices may seek redress. Such policy shall be made known to faculty and students annually by inclusion in the institution's handbook, manual or other similar document regularly provided to faculty and students. For the purposes of this Section (a) "public institution of higher education" means the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, the public community colleges of the State and any other public universities, colleges and community colleges now or hereafter established or authorized by the General Assembly; and (b) "religious observance" or "religious practice" includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief.

(Source: P.A. 89-4, eff. 1-1-96.)
(110 ILCS 110/1.5)
Sec. 1.5. Absence of student due to religious beliefs.

(a) In this Section, "institution of higher learning" has the meaning ascribed to that term in the Higher Education Student Assistance Act.

(b) Any student in an institution of higher learning, other than a religious or denominational institution of higher learning, who is unable, because of his or her religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination, study, or work requirement and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up the examination, study, or work requirement that he or she may have missed because of such absence on a particular day; provided that the student notifies the faculty member or instructor well in advance of any anticipated absence or a pending conflict between a scheduled class and the religious observance and provided that the make-up examination, study, or work does not create an unreasonable burden upon the institution. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the student such an opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his or her availing himself or herself of the provisions of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 97-1038, eff. 1-1-13.)

University of Illinois Student Code

§ 1-107 Policy for the Provision of Religious Accommodations for Students

It is the policy of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to reasonably accommodate its students’ religious beliefs, observances, and practices that conflict with a student’s class attendance or participation in a scheduled examination or work requirement, consistent with state and federal law.
Students must request a reasonable accommodation for their religious belief, observance, and practice in advance of the conflict to allow time for both consideration of the request and alternate procedures to be prepared. Not requesting an accommodation reasonably in advance of the conflict may result in a delay or denial of the accommodation.
A reasonable accommodation for a religious belief, observance, and practice is defined as a change that allows the student to participate in their religious belief, observance, and practice and which does not fundamentally alter the educational requirement or place an undue hardship on an instructor, department, or office.
Students must direct a request for a reasonable accommodation for a religious belief, observance, and practice to the instructor(s) of the affected course(s), who shall review the request and determine whether a reasonable accommodation can be made. The Office of the Dean of Students provides an optional resource on its website to assist students as they are making such requests to their instructors.
If an instructor denies a student’s request for a reasonable accommodation for a religious belief, observance, and practice, the student may appeal the decision in writing to the dean or dean’s designee of the academic unit offering the course. Before taking action, the dean or dean’s designee will ask the instructor to explain their decision in writing.

Application and Best Practices

A statement on a course syllabus informing students of the process for seeking a religious accommodation for a course commitment—and which includes a deadline for such a request—helps raise awareness and defines expectations.
Having to create/give a make-up exam is unlikely to meet the standard for an “unreasonable burden upon the institution” that would warrant denial of an accommodation request under 110 ILCS 110.
If an instructor has a policy of allowing students to drop their lowest midterm/assignment grade in calculation of the final course grade, it is not recommended to require that a student utilize this option for missing a midterm/assignment due to absence from class for a religious observance.
Similarly, if a student is permitted to miss (any) class(es) without penalty (for up to a given number of classes), it is not recommended that faculty count an absence for a religious observance toward that allotment; rather, it should be an excused absence independent of that tally.
A student should not be required to submit evidence of attendance at a religious service in order to receive an accommodation.

Interfaith Calendar

To assist in planning for any future conflicts, an interfaith calendar of primary sacred times for world religions is available at Religious Observances that Affect the Academic Calendar. Another Religious Observances webtools calendar is also available. Given the diversity of students who attend the University of Illinois, these calendars are not all-inclusive and are not intended to exclude any religion, sacred time, or days of religious observance.

Requests for Accommodation

Students are directed to make requests for accommodation directly to each instructor. They have also been informed to make such requests in advance of the conflict in order to allow time for both your consideration of the request and alternative procedures to be prepared, as necessary.

In order to assist students in making such requests, the Office of the Dean of Students provides an optional resource for their use. This resource guides students in articulating the exact accommodation that is needed. Once completed, students receive a copy of a .PDF form that they must then send to each instructor. Upon receipt of the form, the instructor should then engage with the student in order to provide a reasonable and appropriate accommodation.

Syllabus Statement

A statement on a course syllabus informing students of the process for seeking a religious accommodation for a course commitment—and which includes a deadline for such a request—helps raise awareness and defines expectations.

Suggested statement:

Students must submit requests for accommodations for religious observances directly to instructors. The request should be submitted in advance of the conflict to allow for enough time both for consideration of the request and facilitation of alternative arrangements, as necessary. If students need assistance in formulating the request, the Office of the Dean of Students offers an optional resource that should prove helpful. For more information and/or guidance, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students.