{"id":53405,"date":"2023-02-07T19:06:14","date_gmt":"2023-02-07T19:06:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/interfaith\/?page_id=53405"},"modified":"2025-03-06T16:50:22","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T16:50:22","slug":"religious-observance-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/interfaith\/history\/religious-observance-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Religious Observance Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As an academic community, Augsburg University embraces the <\/span>Network of ELCA Colleges & Universities\u2019 (NECU) mission to be \u201crooted\u201d and \u201copen\u201d<\/span><\/a> so that all may flourish. This necessitates that we regularly reassess the familiar and consider new options. A community of caring mentors and colleagues makes possible each student\u2019s intellectual growth, personal maturation, and vocational discernment.\u00a0 The following policy and procedure for the observance of recognized holy days is consistent with the university\u2019s mission.<\/span><\/p>\n

Policy<\/span><\/h3>\n

In recognition that observance of recognized religious holidays may affect students\u2019 classroom attendance and the submission of graded work in courses, Augsburg University accommodates\u00a0 religious observances and holidays of diverse religious traditions.\u00a0 This policy reflects the university\u2019s commitment to being responsive to our students\u2019 diverse religious beliefs and to encourage students\u2019 spiritual development. In accordance with the policy, students who miss class to observe a religious holiday are required to make prior arrangements with individual instructors for how any work missed during an absence will be completed. Absence from class due to observance of a religious holiday is normally excused according to university policy; however, students are expected to make up the work they miss, and the University understands that there may be extenuating circumstances, specific to a particular course, that make it difficult or impossible for a faculty member to grant such a request.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Faculty are encouraged to consider recognized religious holidays when establishing course deadlines and assigning course work and to support students in their religious practices by observing this policy.\u00a0 To support faculty in accommodating the religious practices and commitments of our students, Augsburg has established procedures to be followed by students: students are responsible for notifying their instructors of a planned absence due to an observance and\/or holiday.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Procedure<\/span><\/h3>\n

The religious holiday observance notification procedure is based on the assumption and expectation that students will act in accordance with Augsburg Universities <\/span>standards of conduct<\/span><\/a>. The procedure and subsequent guidelines for students missing class to observe religious holidays are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n