hah attends an eight-day religious observance of fasting and prayer.

Though university policy recognizes conflicts concerning religious observances, Shah said she had to miss the event because of her classes.

Shah, a senior biology major, said this was her first year of college where she had to miss the Jainism function.

Shah said she was not allowed to fast properly and basically had nothing to eat for eight days because she had to remain on campus for classes. If Shah had been at home or at her religious event, she could have fasted properly, she said.

According to university policy, exams, tests, quizzes, absences and other academic activities may be rescheduled because of a religious observance, said vice provost Earl Seaver.

As stated in the NIU Academic Policy and Procedure Manual, “the university recognizes that on occasion examinations or other scheduled academic activities may conflict with the religious observances of some members of the academic community and accordingly encourages the instructional and administrative staff to make reasonable accommodations to minimize the resulting difficulties for individuals concerned.”

Shah said she did not ask faculty if they would make accommodations because she did not want to miss class lectures.

There is no policy on how often students can reschedule exams or other academic activities, Seaver said. What can be rescheduled depends on what the faculty member and student decide on.

Junior nursing major Ebony Knight said she agrees with the policy.

“I think it’s fair,” Knight said. “Everyone’s entitled to their own beliefs. If an exam is affected by a certain religious day, it should be honored.”

Seaver and Steve Cunningham, associate vice president of administration and human resources, sent a memorandum to all NIU faculty and staff about the policy Sept. 1.

“I encourage students to talk with faculty members early in the semester about any conflicts,” Seaver said. “To walk in the day of, the day before, or the day after [a religious observance], it’s not allowing a lot of room for faculty to work with the student.”

Seaver said he has not received any student complaints on religious observances during his three years as vice provost.

“I don’t hear complaints at my office about faculty who are not able or not willing to work with students,” Seaver said. “I think our faculty are very good at accommodating students’ needs.”

If a conflict occurs with a faculty member, a student should first talk to the department chair to try to resolve the issue, Seaver said. If the issue still does not seem to be resolved, students should speak with the dean of their college.

To locate NIU’s religious observance policy, go to www3.niu.edu/provost2/facpers/appm/I7.htm.