Religious observances and related academic policies
Dear Twin Cities faculty and instructors,
I am writing, as we do each Spring, to remind you about the potential need to provide accommodations for students observing religious holidays. The University’s Calendar of Holidays and Religious Observances provides an overview of these dates throughout the year, but please note the following holidays:
- Passover: March 27, 2021 (evening) - April 4, 2021 (evening)
- Good Friday: April 2, 2021
- Ramadan: April 12, 2021 (evening) - May 11, 2021 (evening)
- Orthodox Good Friday: April 30, 2021
- Rosh Hashanah: September 6 (evening)–September 8, 2021 (evening)
The Makeup Work for Legitimate Absences policy provides useful information about accommodations due to religious observances, and information on related policies is listed on the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action website.
Not all students will request accommodations for religious observances. However, please encourage students to contact you individually if accommodations are needed. For example, students who may be fasting during Ramadan might benefit from scheduling flexibility that allows exams to be taken at a time of day determined by the student.
Additionally, because the first day of the fall 2021 semester falls within Rosh Hashanah, we are adding unique accommodations for this particular instance, beyond what is explicitly available through the Mandatory Attendance at First Class Session and Consequences for Absence policy. You will receive a message later in the summer describing those additional accommodations.
Thank you for your work to create an inclusive learning environment for our students. Specific questions about how to provide accommodations can be directed to 612-624-9547 or [email protected].
Sincerely,
Rachel T.A. Croson
Executive Vice President and Provost
email sent to all Twin Cities faculty and all instructors scheduled to teach in Spring and Fall 2021 semesters on March 24, 2021