 A sign greets the Pagan Student Association's members at the PSA's first meeting Thursday. Photo by Katey Bozorth | The Appalachian As directed by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, the university has adopted a new student religious observance policy, which allows students a minimum of two excused absences per year for religious observances.
The policy, mandated by state legislature, became effective immediately for the 2010-11 academic year. Professors were notified mid-August of its implementation at Appalachian.
While the university is allowed flexibility in the policy’s provisions, Appalachian is required to not only allow students two excused absences required by the faith of the student, but to also let students make up any tests or work due to the absence(s). Appalachian created its own interim religious observance policy Aug. 10, which along with the state mandated rules, directs professors to refer to the policy on their syllabi.
Students are responsible for requesting an excused absence for religious observances in writing no later than three weeks after the first day of the semester, excluding exceptional circumstances.
“Each student has the responsibility of notifying their professors,” David H. Larry, deputy general counsel at Appalachian, said.
The university’s interim policy defines religious observances as “religious holidays or holy days or similar observances required by a student’s religion and that require absence from class.”
Larry said in the past Appalachian has been sensitive to students’ requests to miss class for religious purposes.
“Appalachian is already required to provide reasonable accommodations for students,” Larry said. “Legislation simply made a very specific [policy] for universities.”
Still, students like Jamie R. Watral, a sophomore psychology major, have struggled with missing class for religious purposes in the past.
Watral attended class last year after fasting all day in commemoration of the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur.
Watral has mixed feelings if she will utilize the policy this year.
“Even with the policy, I’m still missing material [in class],” Watral said. “It’s too complicated to even deal with. It’s more of a hassle than it’s worth.”
While some students are hesitant about the effectiveness of the policy, some religious organizations on campus such as Hillel, the Jewish Student Association at Appalachian, are glad the university is recognizing the needs of all students.
“I think it is advantageous for Appalachian in that they are keeping their students happy,” Leslee C. Lisnek, a junior religious studies major and president of Hillel, said. “And happy students will be more motivated to perform better in their classes.”
Story: BARBARA ADAMS, News Reporter
Photo: KATEY BOZORTH, Intern Photographer |
