DeKALB | The University Council will vote on a proposition that would make it “easier” for students to request accommodations for religious observances next month.

There will be no real change, but rather a simple addition to clarify the policy and strengthen the language, said Paul Stoddard, a University Advisory Committee member. This new proposal for the policy will be voted on in the University Council meeting on May 2.

“It should make it a little easier to get accommodations for when scheduling conflicts arise,” Stoddard said.

The idea was proposed at the April 4 University Council meeting in response to a complaint through an adviser from a religious group on campus.

The change in the wording of the policy is an attempt to make faculty more aware of the many different religions on campus within the student body, and of specific dates of importance for those religions.

If passed, faculty will be directed to a few external links to help them retrieve information on certain religions and common holidays.

The current policy, found in the 2006-07 Undergraduate Catalog, encourages professors to make “reasonable accommodations” for students who find that exam or class dates conflict with religious observances.

Students are to inform their instructor prior to conflicts, and may appeal to the respective department chairs or the dean of the college.

One perceived problem with religious observance is the possibility that a student may simply invent their own religious beliefs as means to make an early trip home for the weekend, or to gain extra time to study for a test. Stoddard compared the verification process to medical leave, and said in some cases, students may have to bring verification.

Elle Nordwall, a freshman textiles, apparel and merchandising major, said she thinks that since NIU isn’t a religious-based school and there are so many different holidays, it isn’t fair to allow some students to celebrate religious observances.

“Instead of trying to incorporate all religious holidays, we should stop observing them all in fairness to everyone,” Nordwall said.

Mike Bahi, a sophomore mathematics education major, disagrees with Nordwall’s position.

“I think they should [approve it] because it’s a win/loss situation either way,” Bahi said. “Say a student gives up a religious event for an academic purpose. He or she might feel offended for putting something before their religion, and if it was the other way around, his or her grade might be affected. If the school accommodated to all religions it would be a win/win situation.”