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Religious observance policy undergoes makeover
NIU’s religious policy, last changed in 1994, received a makeover for this semester.
The former policy had been a subject of concern among multiple groups: Jewish students for Yom Kippur, Catholic students for Good Friday, Muslim students for Ramadan and other faith traditions that often fall through the cracks of mainstream cultural literacy.
Cary Wolovick, president of the NIU Hillel Jewish Student Organization, said he hopes religious freedom will now move beyond merely being an “option” for NIU.
“It’s better for the student body at large,” Wolovick said.
Ombudsman Tim Griffin has heard many complaints regarding religious observance during his career at NIU, more so than complaints involving disabilities or countries of origin.
He said the policy’s goal is to provide “as wide a variety of diversity as possible” to avoid discrimination by what he calls an “institutionalization of the religious culture of Christianity.”
The former policy read that NIU “encourages the instructional and administrative staff to make reasonable accommodations” regarding religious holidays.
The new policy, broadcast to NIU faculty and staff via GroupWise this Monday, now states that NIU “does not observe religious holidays,” but that the university policy is “to reasonably accommodate” student religious observance in “admissions, class attendance, scheduling examinations and work requirements.”
It also encourages faculty and supervisors “to be considerate of the interests of faculty, staff and students.”
Although the language of the new policy still leaves a wide range of interpretation, Wolovick said he will do whatever he can to help Jewish students observe holidays, and hopes that other religious organizations take up a similar goal for their communities.
Whether the changes are merely cosmetic or will bring an end to conflicts is unclear.
“Only time will tell us how effective the new policy will be and what changes, if any, still need to be made to it,” Griffin said.
These upcoming holidays include an increased observance of prayer, overnight vigils, fasting, and/or group worship. Please note that this list does not completely cover all religious observances, nor do all who practice these religions observe these holidays.
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