[Wsssc] [EXTERNAL] - Re: Student Religious Exemptions...

Thu Oct 21 08:38:19 PDT 2021

Our accommodations letters are case by case, so while we will include our institutional requirements of 3 ft and masking requirements, some individual courses and programs don’t allow for 3 ft social distancing. We were advised against a letter with blanket accommodations without a conversation at the instructor level, similar to, but still different from, our approach to disability-related accommodations. It’s definitely a process. This week faculty are supposed to be submitting, through their deans, any courses and programs where the 3 ft social distancing accommodation cannot be maintained. At that point, there may be instructional and enrollment consequences.

Brendon K. Taga, Ph.D., J.D.
Vice President of Student Services
(360) 475-7476 | btaga at olympic.edu<mailto:btaga at olympic.edu>

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From: wsssc <wsssc-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> On Behalf Of Christina Castorena via wsssc
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 3:53 PM
To: Brenda Ivelisse <b.ivelisse at bellevuecollege.edu>
Cc: WSSSC <wsssc at lists.ctc.edu>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] - Re: [Wsssc] Student Religious Exemptions...

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At Edmonds, our approval letter for a religious exemption states that they must mask at all times and maintain 3 foot social distancing. The masking and social distancing is our accommodation.

Hope this helps.
Christina

On Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 3:02 PM Brenda Ivelisse via wsssc <wsssc at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:wsssc at lists.ctc.edu>> wrote:
Hi fellow WSSSC folxs,

I had a very interesting conversation with our AAG at the college, specifically getting clarification on whether students who have been granted a religious exemptions, what are the next steps, if any...

This stemmed from a conversation with our HR - who follows up individually to each religious exemption requests to provide "accommodations."

According to our AAG, all religious exemptions have to be reviewed individually.

Here is what I learned -

  1.  HR does interactive process - what can or can't be done for each individual, reaching out to employees to determine religious exemptions that lead to accommodations.
  2.  This exception is not a firm (permanent) accommodation - will have to be constantly reviewed - for students that would be quarterly.
  3.  Accommodations can range from masking, social distancing, etc.
  4.  We need to add to our communication to students that reasonable accommodations granted at beginning of each quarter is subject to change. Each quarter subject to review your accommodation qtr. by qtr. basis.
  5.  We also need to identify what activities students with the religious exemption can't participate in…Classes of concern? Identify facilities of concern?
HR and AAG noted that the employee side has to review every 60 days, but I am not finding it for the student version: https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/proclamations/proc_20-12.5.pdf<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.governor.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fproclamations%2Fproc_20-12.5.pdf&data=04%7C01%7Cb.ivelisse%40bellevuecollege.edu%7C1b9a1f5872cb4d71ae2508d9940bf15e%7Cf94c251c1347422eb3ea8ac56befd6cb%7C0%7C0%7C637703601278439283%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=rGXVfmeyTsHHWZzbUocePPBK7zttcZzLcYqu7xa5h%2Bg%3D&reserved=0>. Note on future possible impact - exempt students/employees would have to use masks, etc. if the mask mandate is lifted... so then they stand out? Several concerns on this.

So getting to my questions: How are colleges addressing "accommodations" for a religious exemption that has been approved? What accommodations do you all provide?

Our AAG said we always have access to them to discuss. Happy to connect with Chio and Joe regarding adding to agenda if you all would like further discussion and clarity.

Dr. B

__________________________________________________________

Brenda Ivelisse, Ph.D.

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (she/her/ella)

Office of Student Affairs

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3000 Landerholm Circle SE, B231B
Bellevue, WA 98007

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