I. OBJECTIVE & PURPOSE
The University recognizes and values students' rights to observe and practice their religious beliefs and this regulation provides a procedure in which students may seek reasonable accommodation of their religious beliefs in regard to admission, class attendance, the scheduling of examinations, major class events, major University activities, and work assignments.
II. STATEMENT OF REGULATION
A. Observing Religious Practices and Beliefs.
The University observes a student's right to observe and practice their religious beliefs and where necessary, will reasonably accommodate a student's religious beliefs or practices as they pertain to the following:
(1) Admissions - The University will not deny admission to any student because of the religious practice or belief of the student.
(2) Class Attendance - Any student, upon notifying his or her instructor, will be excused from class to observe a religious holy day of his or her personal faith. Such notification shall be made no later than one week prior to the holy day, or as prescribed by the instructor at the beginning of the term.
(3) Work Assignments - Students who are excused from class or a specific work assignment for the purpose of observing a religious holy day will be responsible for the material covered in their absence, but shall be permitted a reasonable amount of time to make up any missed work. Missed work shall be made up in accordance with a timetable set by the student's instructor or as prescribed by the instructor at the beginning of the term.
(4) Examinations, Major Class Events, Major University Activities - No major examination, major class event, or major University activity should be scheduled on a recognized religious holy day. A recognized religious holy day is a significant day of religious observance as recognized by the highest governing body of that particular religious faith. Evidence of such recognition shall be provided by the student unless the holy day has been previously recognized by UNF on its University Calendar as a day of obervance in which the University is closed in observance of the holiday.
B. Seeking Redress through Appeals Unrelated to Academic Misconduct.
Any student who believes that he or she has been unreasonably denied an educational benefit pursuant to this regulation due to his or her religious belief or practices may seek redress of the decision by filing a grievance for failure to provide a religious accommodation. Copies of this grievance form may be obtained through One Stop Student Services.
Specific Authority: Section 7(d), Art. IX, Fla. Const., F.S. 1006.53, BOG Regulation 6.0115; History–New 5-7-89. Formerly 2.012; Amended and Approved by BOT June 25, 2009.
