[Wsssc] Student Absence for Reasons of Faith or Conscience

[Blakeney, Erin]

Good afternoon!
The below info was sent out via Joe Holliday a couple years ago when the initial SB was updated...the change was that these requests were to be approved by faculty and be in writing in each course syllabus.  I believe this language was "borrowed" from Pierce College district.
https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=28B.137.010


Potential Policy Language:
Per WAC ______ (resulting from 2019 Senate Bill 5166), _____College will grant reasonable accommodation so that grades are not impacted for students who are absent for reasons of faith or conscience, or for an organized activity conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or religious organization. Such absences must be requested in writing within the first two weeks of the quarter and may not incur additional fees for students. Faculty must include the approved language references this policy in their syllabi. This policy and the associated procedure will be posted on the institutional website. Students who have concerns about approval or a grade impact may utilize the student grievance procedure for concerns not directly related to grades, or to the grade appeal process in cases impacting a final grade. [links to these procedures will be included in the webpage with the policy]


Potential Syllabus Language:
Reasonable Accommodations for Religion/Conscience: Students who will be absent from course activities due to reasons of faith or conscience may seek reasonable accommodations so that grades are not impacted. Such requests must be made within the first two weeks of the quarter and should follow the procedures listed in the Student Rights & Responsibilities section of the Academic Catalog. [or, Such requests must be made within the first two weeks of the quarter and should follow the procedures listed on the Student Rights & Responsibilities website [with link]].



[cid:image004.jpg at 01D6E5BA.AE6C4FE0]
Erin Blakeney
Dean for Student Success
Cascadia College | Student Success Services
Pronouns: she/her





From: wsssc <wsssc-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> On Behalf Of Cruse, Michele via wsssc
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2021 1:49 PM
To: wsssc at lists.ctc.edu
Subject: [Wsssc] Student Absence for Reasons of Faith or Conscience


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Good Afternoon Colleagues:
We are in the process of updating our process/protocols re: the Student Absence for Reasons of Faith or Conscience.

The question is:  Does the VPSA or the VPI facilitate and approve the request at your institution?

The policy is below


Postsecondary educational institutions must develop policies to accommodate student absences to allow students to take holidays for reasons of faith or conscience or for organized activities conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or religious organization, so that students' grades are not adversely impacted by the absences.



Sincerely,

Dr. Michele Cruse
Interim Vice President of Student Affairs
Pronouns: she/her/hers
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