Religious & Faith Based Accommodations

SMCM Policy for Religious and Faith-Based Accommodations in the Learning Environment 

In its role as a public institution, St. Mary’s College of Maryland honors its history as a living monument to religious freedom by fostering a community “…[w]here people are engaged in an ongoing dialogue that values differences and the unique contributions of others’ talents, backgrounds, customs and world views” (The St. Mary’s Way). As part of this commitment, the College will make good faith efforts to provide an accommodation if it is required for the student to practice a sincerely held faith-based or religious belief and it does not impose an undue hardship upon the College. A “Reasonable Accommodation” is a change in the course’s assignment timelines, expectations, or format that enables a student to participate in the religious practice or belief without fundamentally changing the course outcomes.

Absences excused by any Reasonable Accommodation granted under these policies shall be counted toward the maximum number of excused absences permitted by the course policy but cannot impact participation grades or other measures of course assessment. There may be circumstances under which it may be a Reasonable Accommodation to increase the number of maximum allowed absences to accommodate sincerely held faith-based or religious beliefs or practices.

1. Any SMCM student who is unable to attend classes on a particular day or days because of a sincerely held faith-based or religious belief shall be excused from any examination or any assignment-related requirements because of such absence on the particular day or days. However, students must communicate with the faculty prior to the absence in writing via a Request for Religious and Faith-Based Accommodation form to make reasonable plans for making up the missed work.
   1. Ideally, students with religious traditions that would require absences from regularly-scheduled classes are strongly encouraged to consult the course syllabus no later than the second week of class to identify any dates they may be absent and submit a Request for Religious and Faith-Based Accommodation form. It is recommended that students proactively indicate all dates during the semester in which faith-based observances overlap with class time  to allow the instructor the maximum time possible to arrange alternate plans. It is also the case that syllabi require modification during the semester, and the dates of assignments may change. By having all the relevant dates on the Accommodation form on file, the student may refer to that document should shifts to the class schedule create unforeseen conflicts.
2. The Request form will require that the student attest that the absence is related to a sincerely held religious belief. However, at no time will the student be called on to “prove” the authenticity of their religious identity. The Request for Religious and Faith-Based Accommodation will additionally ask the student to:
   1. Identify the date that conflicts with the faith-based practice for which the student will be unable to attend class.
   2. Identify the course and instructor.
   3. Describe the faith-based practice that conflicts with the class or assignment (NB: this information may be useful in guiding the instructor’s plans for an alternative assignment).
   4. Acknowledge the responsibility to make up the work (either at a later date or with an equivalent assignment) as arranged in collaboration with the instructor.
3. It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administration to make available to each student who is absent from class, because of their religious beliefs, an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study or work requirements which they may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. This accommodation must be described to the student in writing no later than five class days or two weeks (whichever is the longer period) before the modified due date, unless the student and instructor mutually agree on a different arrangement.
4. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available the accommodation or equivalent opportunity to the student.
5. Each May, before the conclusion of the academic year, Academic Affairs will circulate a list of major religious days of observance for faculty to use while scheduling assignments in their syllabi for the coming academic year. In effectuating the provisions of this section, it shall be the duty of the faculty and of the Office of Academic Affairs to exercise the fullest measure of good faith. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of them availing themselves of the provisions of this section.
6. Students who feel that this policy has not been fairly implemented may appeal to the appropriate department chair. If it is felt that no satisfaction is received there, then the student may file a grievance with the associate dean overseeing that department [see Grievance Process].

Students requiring dedicated space on-campus for worship and fellowship should contact Student Activities. The ability to reserve vehicles to travel to off-campus religious spaces for external programming is available for all recognized student clubs or organizations.