A new state law makes it easier for college students to take time off for religious holidays.<\/p>\n
Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5166 into law on Monday (April 29), making Washington the first state requiring that institutions of higher education provide academic accommodations to students who need them for religious observances. This includes rescheduling exams and permitting absences, as long as the student notifies the professor of the needed accommodation within the first two weeks of class.<\/p>\n
College professors will also be required to add information about religious accommodations to their syllabuses.<\/p>\n
The law requires colleges \u201cto reasonably accommodate students who, due to the observance of religious holidays, expect to be absent or endure a significant hardship during certain days of the course or program,\u201d according to the state Legislature\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
\u201cPassing this bill sends a powerful message to all students that students of faith, and especially those in minority faith traditions, matter and are welcome in our educational system,\u201d said Rabbi Allison Flash, assistant director of education at Temple Beth Am of Seattle.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n New law requires professors in Washington to accommodate religious holidays https:\/\/t.co\/w5cn90Lqku<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/aBQthVjyFo<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Hindu American Fdn (@HinduAmerican) May 1, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n