UMGC Policy III-5.10 UMGC Policy on Religious Observances

Formerly Policy 51.00 Religious Observances

1. Purpose
   1. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all students at UMGC have equal access to academic programs and services, regardless of their sincerely held religious beliefs or practices. UMGC conforms to the Board of Regents Policy III-5.10 Concerning the Scheduling of Academic Assignments on Dates of Religious Observance; Campus Space for Faith-Based or Religious Practices, approved on January 11, 1990, amended December 15, 2023.
   2. This policy outlines the accommodations available for students who require adjustments to their academic activities or commitments to observe religious holidays, participate in religious practices, or meet other faith-based obligations.
2. Definitions
   1. Reasonable Accommodation: An accommodation that is necessary for a student to practice a sincerely held religious belief, and which does not impose undue hardship on the institution or fundamentally alter the essential nature of the course or program.
   2. Sincerely Held Religious Belief: A belief or practice that is based on faith or religion and is sincerely followed by an individual, regardless of its formal recognition or documentation within a specific religious tradition.
3. Policy
   1. So that the academic programs and services of UMGC shall be available to all qualified students who have been admitted to its programs, regardless of their religious beliefs, students shall not be penalized because of observances of their religious holidays or organized religious activities.
      Students must be given an opportunity to make up any assignments missed due to participation in religious observances, with all assignments due at the end of the course.
      1. Students should make any religious accommodation requests to the instructor of the course. Students are asked to examine the course syllabus for potential conflicts at the start of the course and promptly notify the instructor of any anticipated accommodation needs, providing as much notice as possible.
         1. If a student believes that reasonable accommodations are not being implemented by UMGC (e.g., by a program, or by an instructor), the student should contact the Fair Practices Officer immediately at fairpractices@umgc.edu. The Fair Practices Officer will work with the student to address the concern.
      2. Instructors who need advice or assistance regarding student accommodations for religious observances, may contact the Fair Practices Officer at fairpractices@umgc.edu.