Attachment C

Faculty Senate Agenda

January 28, 2010

 

Faculty Senate Transmittal Cover Sheet

(used for action items including resolutions submitted to Exec Committee and to Fac Senate)

 

From: (committee, individual)  Faculty Policies Committee, Mark Siegler                                                Date:  January 12, 2010

Policy/Issue Addressed:

  • Existing Policy (information item)
  • New Policy (recommendation attached)
  • Change in Policy (original policy and proposed changes attached)

Senate Action Required (check one)

  • Approve (enact under our authority)
  • Recommend (recommend only , per our role in the MOU)
  • Information (listen)

Senate’s Formal Role:  What’s the senate’s official responsibility with regard to this?

(Constitution, MOU, Academic issue, etc.)

 

Academic Issue.

Background:  (origin, policy history, how it got to us, context)

 

The California Education Code 89320 states:

 

“The Trustees of the California State University shall require each state university, in administering any test or examination, to permit any student who is eligible to undergo the test or examination to do so, without penalty, at a time when that activity would not violate the student's religious creed.  This requirement shall not apply in the event that administering the test or examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship which could not reasonably have been avoided.  In any court proceeding in which the existence of an undue hardship which could not reasonably have been avoided is an issue, the burden of proof shall be upon the institution.”

 

At the present time, it appears that Sacramento State may be out of compliance with this statewide policy.  In early Fall 2009, the Executive Committee asked the Faculty Policies Committee to explore the possibility of implementing a policy regarding religious observances on this campus.

 

Consultation: (individuals, committees, documents)

 

On October 21, 2009, the Faculty Policies Committee was joined by (1) Monica Dean, Co-President of the Jewish Student Union at Sacramento State, (2) Chani Oppenheim, Executive Director of Hillel at Davis and Sacramento; and (3) Basim Elkarra, Executive Director of the Sacramento Valley Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations to discuss issues students face regarding their religious beliefs and their academic coursework.

 

On November 18, 2009, the Faculty Policies Committee recommended the policy below for Senate approval.

 

Recommendation:  (3 or 4 key points or arguments)

 

With respect to tests, examinations, graded assignments, deadlines, or when consideration is given for class participation that may have a significant impact on grading, instructors shall reasonably accommodate students who notify them by the semester add deadline for such requirements that appear in the course syllabus or by the following class period for requirements that are defined later in the semester, regarding planned absence(s) for religious observance(s).

 

 

Related Materials: (reports, websites, etc.)

 

For reference, the University Policy Manual at San Diego State University contains the following language:

 

By the end of the second week of classes, students should notify the instructors of affected courses of planned absences for religious observances.  Instructors shall reasonably accommodate students who notify them in advance of planned absences for religious observances.

 

 

Next Steps:

 

Discussion of policy recommendation at Executive Committee and consideration of policy by Faculty Senate during Spring 2010.