麻豆

Every course at 麻豆 adheres to the university policy below; the language below is included in our shared syllabus template.

Sanctified Zone
Guided by its Catholic and Lasallian heritage, 麻豆 University is firmly committed to fostering a campus atmosphere that is permeated by its Mission values of Fidelity, Wisdom, Knowledge, Justice, and Association.聽 Accordingly, we have declared the University campus to be a Sanctified Zone, a place and a people United in Diversity.聽 The active promotion of diversity and the opposition to all forms of prejudice and bias are a powerful and healing expression of our desire to be Signs of Faith (Signum Fidei) to each other.聽Learn more about the Sanctified Zone.

As a鈥疭anctified Zone, 麻豆 affirms the importance of diverse spiritual and value-based identities, worldviews, and expressions, including the observance of religious and cultural traditions. To learn more about the rich diversity of spiritual and cultural holidays celebrated within the 麻豆 community, please see the鈥�Interfaith Calendar. Please note that this calendar is鈥�not鈥痑 designation of spiritual and cultural holidays officially recognized or observed by 麻豆; rather, it is intended as an educational resource for the 麻豆 community. 

Religious Accommodations: Lewis is committed to inclusion “together and by association” on our campus and in our classrooms. At the beginning of the semester, you should carefully review this course syllabus and requirements. If you have religious or cultural observances that reasonably conflict with attendance or submission of assignments in this class, please let the instructor know as soon as possible so that alternative arrangements may be discussed at the instructor’s discretion. Instructors and students can find resources that support academic accommodations for faith-based observances on the Religious Accommodations webpage.

After reviewing the course syllabus and requirements, students are responsible for reaching out to their instructors in advance if they foresee any conflicts between the course attendance or other requirements and their own faith-based obligations. Students can use the template form below (see “resources for students”) to provide instructors with their accommodation request and relevant information.

1. If students need weekly or regular accommodations: if the course is offered in various modalities or schedules, or if alternative courses exist to fulfill the specific program requirement which this course would fulfill, students/instructors/advisors might work with their department/programs and the registrar’s office to see if the student is able to register for an alternative course or course section.
2. Conversations should first take place between individual students and their instructors. . Students can use the template form below (see “resources for students”) to provide instructors with their accommodation request and relevant information.
   
3. Accommodations must be reasonable; students must still be able to meet the learning objectives of the course. If accommodations would considerably impact the course delivery or learning objectives, they may not be able to be facilitated.
4. Each college has designated a faculty liaison who can help mediate discussions between students and faculty regarding faith-based, religious, or cultural accommodations. These liaisons can provide guidance, ensure communication remains constructive and solution-oriented, and connect instructors and students with the Office of Lasallian Belonging or Interfaith Cooperation Committee when additional support is needed.
   
   

   Faculty Liaisons:

   • CoHFAC: Dr. Elizabeth Sartell, esartell@lewisu.edu
   • CoESS: Prof. Huma Zia, ziahu@lewisu.edu
   • CoAST: Dr. Khaled Alzoubi, alzoubkh@lewisu.edu
   • CoB: Dr. Iyad Rock, irock@lewisu.edu
   • CoNHS: Dr. Arvie Vitente, avitente@lewisu.edu
   • SGPCE & St Augustine: Students and instructors for courses in the School of Graduate, Professional & Continuing Education (SGPCE) and St. Augustine College can contact either Dr. Elizabeth Sartell or Prof. Huma Zia for support.
     
5. If an accommodation agreement cannot be reached or if there is doubt about the feasibility of an accommodations鈥� effectiveness, students or instructors should first contact the faculty liaison of the college within which the specific course or faculty resides. (See list above.) Faculty liaisons will serve as the first point of review when accommodation agreements cannot be reached between students and instructors.
6. When needed, the liaison (or students or instructors) may also contact the Office of Lasallian Belonging for review and additional support. The appropriate dean’s office may also be notified of the ongoing conversation at this time. The Office of Lasallian Belonging serve as the next point of review when accommodation agreements cannot be reached between students and instructors with faculty liaison help. The OLB may consult with Department Chairs, College or Deans, or the Provost’s Office as appropriate for resolution, recognizing that final determinations regarding course standards and accommodations remain under faculty purview. This process aims to uphold both academic integrity and the University’s commitment to faith-based and culture-based inclusion.

To assist students and instructors in this process, guidelines and examples are provided below.

Student Form for Accommodation Requests
Students should first attempt to arrange their course schedules to minimize conflicts with their own faith or cultural needs. If conflicts cannot be avoided due to schedule restrictions and course requirements, students should follow the process below.

Students: to assist in requesting a religious or faith-based academic accommodation, please complete the form below and submit it to your instructor. Forms ought to be submitted to instructors within the first two weeks of a 16-week course, or within the first week of an 8- or 7-week course, or as soon as possible once a conflict with course requirements is anticipated.

To ensure timely and fair accommodation processes, students are encouraged to submit any faith-based or culture-based accommodation requests before the University’s course drop deadline. Early submission allows instructors to plan appropriately and supports a positive, collaborative process.

Please note: these support measures are intended to support academic success in each student’s specific courses. The accommodations referenced here do not encompass housing requests nor health requirements. For exemptions related to health requirements, please check with your college or program directly, as policies and deadlines may vary.

Accomodation Requests Form

Next steps:
If students are unable to secure a reasonable, required faith-based accommodation in their course, they should contact the faculty liaison of the college within which the specific course or faculty resides. (Please see the list below). Faculty liaisons will provide review and additional support.

Faculty Liaisons:

• CoHFAC: Dr. Elizabeth Sartell, esartell@lewisu.edu
• CoESS: Prof. Huma Zia, ziahu@lewisu.edu
• CoAST: Dr. Khaled Alzoubi, alzoubkh@lewisu.edu
• CoB: Dr. Iyad Rock, irock@lewisu.edu
• CoNHS: Dr. Arvie Vitente, avitente@lewisu.edu
• SGPCE & St Augustine: Students and instructors for courses in the School of Graduate, Professional & Continuing Education (SGPCE) and St. Augustine College can contact either Dr. Elizabeth Sartell or Prof. Huma Zia for support.

Instructors: if you need more information from students about their religious or faith-based accommodations request, please ask them to complete the accommodation request form found above in the “Resources for Students” section. Reasonable accommodations should first be decided in association with students鈥攖hat is, in conversation with individual students about their needs and careful consideration about how to meet course learning objectives while adhering to our Lasallian commitment of valuing students as whole persons and furthering interfaith inclusion and belonging on campus.

Faculty may also consult their College’s faculty liaison for support in navigating accommodation discussions with students regarding faith-based or culture-based needs. (Please see the list above, under the process for requesting faith-based accommodations.)

If needed, the Office of Lasallian Belonging and the Interfaith Cooperation Committee can help support instructors in their own learning about diversities of religious practice and identity, and to collaborate on classroom accommodation support when needed.

Best Practices:

1. Design your Syllabus for Interfaith Inclusion
1. Use the Interfaith Holidays Calendar when you are creating your syllabus and planning due dates, anticipating student needs or faith-based conflicts that might arise.
2. Honor Absence Requests when Possible
1. Absences due to religious observances and faith-based practices should be excused and non-punitive.
2. Students should not be required to submit formal proof of their religious practices or faith.
3. Similar to our excused absence policy for student athletes: students are excused from attendance but not from the learning or work that is completed during that class period. Instructors may ask students to submit alternative means of demonstrating engagement with and comprehension of the material, concepts, or learning objectives covered during excused class sessions.
3. Provide Equivalent Academic Opportunities
1. Offer make-up exams, reschedule quizzes, or provide alternative assignments without imposing additional burdens or fees.
2. Adjust deadlines, whenever possible, if a conflict occurs between religious observances and assignment due dates.
4. Avoid Scheduling During Religious Observance Windows
1. For example, avoid scheduling required classes during jummah prayer (typically Fridays 1-2pm) or Sunday mass (typically Sunday mornings), avoid setting weekly deadlines for assignments during Shabbat (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset), and avoid scheduling exams during major religious holidays (such as Holi, Eid al-Fitr, Rosh Hashanah, etc.). These are just a few examples, but many faith traditions are practiced on campus; please see the Interfaith Holidays Calendar for more.
2. If a class meets weekly during the regular religious observance period and is required for program completion, work with your department to ensure an alternative section of the course is offered at accessible times.
5. Proactively Communicate
1. Mention the university鈥檚 religious accommodation policy in your first class meeting (for synchronous courses) or in a Blackboard announcement (for online courses), and in your syllabus.
2. Encourage students to share concerns or accommodation requests early in the term to allow for appropriate planning.
6. Seek Support When Needed
1. If you are unsure about how to accommodate a request, faculty can reach out to their College鈥檚 designated faculty liaison to help mediate discussions, brainstorm ideas, and learn more about religious, cultural, or faith-based accommodations in the classroom. (Please see the list above, under the process for requesting faith-based accommodations.)
2. Faculty may also consult with the Office of Lasallian Belonging or the Interfaith Cooperation Committee for further information and guidance.
3. Students should not be required to defend or explain the theology of their religious observance or faith-based practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I find out more about the religious observances followed by my students?
1. Review the Interfaith Holidays Calendar for projected dates and brief information about the religious holidays most relevant to our students.
2. Does 麻豆 have to follow state law on religious accommodations in the classroom?
   1. 麻豆 University is guided by its Catholic and Lasallian values, which emphasize faith, association, and inclusive excellence. While state law applies to public institutions of higher education, 麻豆 seeks to rise above the state legal mandates by living out our Lasallian ethical and mission-based obligations to reasonably accommodate students’ religious observances and ensure students’ faith-based flourishing.
      
      Under the Illinois University Religious Observances Act (), public institutions of higher education are required to:
   • Reasonably accommodate students’ religious beliefs, observances, and practices in regard to admissions, class attendance, exams, and work requirements
   • Provide a grievance procedure for students who believe they have been unreasonably denied accommodations
   • Ensure that students face no penalties or fees for requesting or receiving accommodations
   • Communicate these policies annually to both faculty and students
     
   Furthermore, Section 1.5 of the Act provides that: “Any student in an institution of higher learning... who is unable, because of his or her religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused... and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up the examination, study, or work requirement... No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his or her availing himself or herself of the provisions of this Section.”
3. What does this mean for my course standards and learning objectives?
1. Our policy does not advocate that faculty lower academic standards or offer accommodations beyond what is outlined in our Sanctified Zone and Mission Statement. Instead, we ask faculty to act in the best interest of the student by building individual relationships with them and implementing reasonable and good-faith accommodations where appropriate. If a faculty member believes that a requested accommodation may be difficult to implement or risks compromising essential course requirements, we encourage collaboration鈥攚ith the student, first and foremost, but also with the Office of Lasallian Belonging or the Interfaith Cooperation Committee to ensure the best possible academic experience for all students and instructors involved.
   

Examples of Course Accommodations

• Exams: Reschedule exams ahead of time to non-conflicting dates for the entire class. Or, offer a make-up exam of the same caliber to the student who needs to miss the exam date.
  
  
• Attendance: Some instructors build “make-up participation” into their courses as a way to ensure engagement with the material while students are not physically present. This covers faith-related absences as well as absences due to illness, sports events, or other reasons. Make-up participation might include (a) student writes a short critical reflection on the materials assigned for the class period; (b) student finds an outside resource (news article, podcast, TikTok reel, etc.) that relates to the course subject, and writes a brief reflection on how it connects; (c) student attends a campus event related to the course subject, and writes a brief reflection on how it connects; (d) student gets notes from a classmate and visits office hours to share their main take-aways and any questions they have; or other alternative means of demonstrating asynchronous engagement and understanding of the material covered.
  
  
• Attendance (multiple sections): If available, students might attend an alternative discussion section or lab at a different day or time.

Best Practices:

1. Become Familiar with Interfaith Inclusion & Religious Diversity
1. Use the Interfaith Holidays Calendar to understand the faith-based traditions and celebrations most relevant to our students.
2. Attend religiously diverse campus events and lectures.
   
2. Work with Students Proactively on Schedules
1. Advisors and Success Coaches should proactively ask students if they have faith-based or culture-based practices that could influence their course scheduling. When appropriate, they should work with students to select course sections that do not require accommodations for regular observances whenever feasible. An example question for advising sessions might be: “Do you have any faith-based or cultural practices that would inform how we select your courses or class times?”
2. If your advisee has a weekly religious obligation, work with them to try and create a course schedule that does not conflict with this obligation. If a required course poses a weekly conflict, search for other courses that meet the requirement or other sections of the same course that meet at alternative times.
   
3. Support Students in Requesting Accommodations
1. If a student needs to request a faith-based accommodation for their courses, advise them to reach out to their instructors in advance and suggest that they complete the accommodation request form found above in the 鈥淩esources for Students鈥� section.
2. If students are unable to secure a reasonable and required faith-based accommodation, support them in the resolution process outlined above. Students or instructors may first contact the designated faculty liaison (listed above) for the college of the particular course within which accommodations are being requested. These liaisons can provide guidance, ensure communication remains constructive and solution-oriented, and connect instructors and students with the Office of Lasallian Belonging or Interfaith Cooperation Committee when additional support is needed.