UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Policies and Procedures Manual

USF

Subject of Policy Statement

Effective Date

Policy Number

Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students

New  06/07/94
Rev.  11/02/06

10-045

 

I.   INTRODUCTION (Purpose and Intent)

In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances.

II.  STATEMENT OF POLICY

All students, faculty, and staff at the University have a right to expect that the University will reasonably accommodate their religious observances, practices and beliefs.

Students are expected to attend classes and take examinations as determined by the University.  The University will, at the beginning of each academic term, provide written notice of the class schedule and formal examination periods.  The University, through its faculty, will make every attempt to schedule required classes and examinations in view of customarily observed religious holidays of those religious groups or communities comprising the University's constituency.  No student shall be compelled to attend class or sit for an examination at a day or time prohibited by his or her religious belief.

Students are expected to notify their instructors at the beginning of each academic term if they intend to be absent for a class or announced examination, in accordance with this policy.  Students absent for religious reasons, as noticed to the instructor at the beginning of each academic term, will be given reasonable opportunities to make up any work missed.  In the event that a student is absent for religious reasons on a day when the instructor collects work for purposes of grading (homework, pop quiz, etc.), the student shall be given a reasonable opportunity to make up such work or shall not have that work averaged into the student's grade at the discretion of the instructor.

Any student who believes that he or she has been treated unfairly with regard to the above may seek review of a complaint through established University Academic Grievance Procedures (found in the Graduate and Undergraduate Catalogs) and those provided by the University's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity.

 

Renu Khator

Provost and Sr. Vice President

 

 

Judy Genshaft
President