Religious Holy Days

The University of Houston respects the religious observances of students even though they may conflict with university class meetings, assignments, or examinations.

The University of Houston excuses a student from classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose.

A student whose absence is excused under this policy shall be treated consistently with the instructor's policies and procedures relating to other excused absences, except that no instructor's policy may deny the opportunity for make-up work, as described below.

Students are encouraged to inform instructors about upcoming religious holy days early in the semester to enable better planning and coordination of work assignments (and examinations).

Instructors are encouraged to announce reasonable time periods for make-up work (and exams) in the course syllabus and to make clear the consequences of a student's failure to meet such time requirements.

If a student and an instructor disagree about whether the absence is for the observance of a religious holy day, or if they disagree about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may appeal to the Office of Academic Program Management. All parties must abide by the decision of that office.

Eligible religions are those whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation. Copies of the state law are available in the offices of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean of Students, and the A.D. Bruce Religion Center.

Catalog Publish Date: August 22, 2012
This Page Last Updated: May 17, 2011