51³Ô¹ÏÍø does not cancel classes for non-federally recognized religious holidays. Students observing such holidays must follow this policy to receive academic accommodations. The policy ensures that students absent due to religious observances are excused without penalty. All faculty are required to provide students an academically appropriate timeframe to make up missed assignments, exams, projects, quizzes, or other academic work.
Students must complete the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Policy on Student Absences for Religious Observances accommodation if there are any conflicts between course requirements and religious observances. Faculty must include a reminder on the course syllabus about this notification process. Students expecting to miss classes or exams due to religious observances must submit the form by the end of the second week of class of the semester, but no later than two weeks before the anticipated absence for the Office of Inclusive Excellence to review. Please allow 5-7 business days for our office to respond.
Faculty are expected to make academically appropriate accommodations for missed work, including exams, quizzes, and assignments, due to religious observances. Once notified by the Office of Inclusive Excellence, faculty must ensure that students are not penalized for missed work, as long as it is completed by a new deadline set by the faculty, which must fall within the academic term. If the student fails to meet this deadline, the faculty will assign an appropriate grade. Missed work may include homework, projects, exams, quizzes, lab work, or out-of-class activities scheduled during the observance.
This policy applies to absences for religious observances only. For other excused absences, students should contact the Office of the Dean of Students.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Office of Inclusive Excellence by emailing us at, inclusiveexcellence@njit.edu.