Many in the community will be observing religious holidays in the upcoming semester. It is the policy of Michigan State University to permit students, faculty and academic staff to observe holidays set aside by their chosen religious faith.
As assignments and activities are planned, it may be helpful to refer specifically to a religious holiday calendar like the one at http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/2016.htm and http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/2017.htm
“As an institution, we are committed to the value of inclusion, and so our practices must conform to our commitments. I am confident that working together we can continue to build an environment that supports and fosters diversity and inclusiveness,” said June Youatt, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
Faculty and staff should be sensitive to the observance of these holidays so students who absent themselves from class are not disadvantaged. It is the responsibility of those students who wish to be absent to make arrangements in advance with their instructors. Without another simple and dignified way to determine the validity of individual claims, the claim of a religious conflict should be accepted at face value.
Additional information on MSU’s Religious Observance policy can be found on the website of the Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives and the Office of the Registrar’s website.