1.6 Religious Accommodations

Policy

Illinois State University complies with all federal and state laws and regulations related to reasonable religious accommodations. The University will provide reasonable accommodation to faculty, staff, current students, prospective students based on their sincerely held religious belief, as appropriate. 

Student Religious Accommodations 

A reasonable accommodation is a change in a practice or policy that enables a prospective or current student to participate in their sincerely held practice unless the accommodation creates an undue hardship on Illinois State University.  Any current or prospective student seeking a reasonable accommodation in regard to admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and work requirements or other issues should request an accommodation as soon as they become aware of the need, but no later than 10 business days in advance (if an emergency request is necessary please note that when completing the request), preferably by filling out the Student Religious Accommodation Form or contacting Student Access and Accommodation Services (SAAS).  SAAS will review and respond to requests. 

A prospective or current student may appeal a religious accommodation decision to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access using the Appeals Process. 

Employee Religious Accommodations 

A reasonable religious accommodation is a change in the work environment or a change in the way a task and/or responsibility is performed that enables an employee to participate in their religious practice without creating an undue hardship on Illinois State University. An employee seeking a reasonable religious accommodation should request an accommodation as soon as they become aware of the need, but no later than 10 business days in advance (if an emergency request is necessary, please note that when completing the request), by filling out the Employee Religious Accommodation form or by using the process described in https://equalopportunity.illinoisstate.edu/policy/religious.  The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will review and respond to requests for religious accommodations.  If accommodations cannot be granted, employees may use vacation or dock time consistent with University policy to observe the event or the holiday.  An employee may appeal in writing within 10 business days to the Director (or designee) of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access.