Undergraduate Catalog

Religious Observance Policy

Consistent with Illinois Public Act 84-212, an act to prohibit public school districts and institutions of higher education from discriminating against students for observing religious holidays (effective August 26, 1985), Western Illinois University subscribes to the following policy and procedures:

Western Illinois University supports the concept of “Reasonable Accommodation of Religious Observances” in regard to admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and other academic work requirements.

  1. A student who is unable because of the observance of a religious holiday to attend classes on a particular day or days or at a particular time of day shall be excused from taking any examination or any study or other academic work assignments on such days or times.
  2. Faculty and administrative personnel may require up to 5 calendar days advance notice of absences to observe religious holidays.
  3. It is the responsibility of the faculty and administrative personnel to make available to such students an equivalent opportunity to make up the examinations, study, or other academic work requirements which they missed due to such absences.
  4. It is the responsibility of all students who are also employees of the University to make arrangements to fulfill their obligations to the University in advance of their absence, and/or to utilize accrued leave (if applicable) during the absence.
  5. No fees or penalties may be imposed against the students who exercise such afforded opportunities. If a student believes she/he has been a victim of discrimination on grounds of religious observances, she/he may seek redress under the existing Discrimination Complaint Procedures.

A student who feels that he or she has been unreasonably denied an educational or employment benefit due to religious beliefs or practices should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access.

Western Illinois University’s full Reasonable Accommodation of Students and Employees Religious Observance Policy is available at wiu.edu/policies/religiousobserv.php.