Dean of Undergraduates: Guidelines for Religious Accommodations

Both Rice's policy of non-discrimination on the basis of religion and our core values of diversity and inclusion require instructors to make reasonable accommodations to help students avoid negative academic consequences with their religious obligations conflict with academic requirements.

Every reasonable effort should be made to allow members of the university community to observe their religious holidays without jeopardizing the fulfillment of their academic obligations. It is never acceptable for an instructor to compel a student to choose between religious observation and academic work.

Absence from classes or examinations for religious reasons does not relieve students from responsibility for any part of the course work required during the period of the absence. It is the obligation of students to provide faculty with reasonable notice of the dates of religious holidays on which they will be absent.

*This list is not a complete listing of religious holidays. If you would like a religious holiday added to the list, please provide the information via email to ugdean@rice.edu.