Polices Policies and Procedures

Religious Holidays

Washington State University understands, values and respects the unique spiritual and secular practices and needs of students, faculty, and staff. Doing so is at the core of our commitment to affirming and validating the holistic needs and experience of our community members. It is also our responsibility to comply with the State of Washington SB 5166 from 2019 requiring religious accommodations from academic courses or programs for post-secondary students.

Students

Students, know your rights and how to access them:

For ACADEMIC accommodations: Students who, because of religious obligations, need to be absent from a class, exam, and/or other academic requirement must make arrangements with their instructor(s) within the first two weeks of the semester. This notice must be written – email is best. You do not need to email all instructors, just the one(s) for whose class(es) you are seeking accommodation.

For EMPLOYMENT accommodations: Student employees should work with their supervisor regarding religious accommodation requests. If students have concerns regarding an accommodation requested related to their student employment, they should contact Human Resource Services or Compliance and Civil Rights.

For FOOD/DIETARY accommodations: WSU Dining Services offers a variety of foods to provide an enjoyable, healthy, and safe eating experience for Cougs. Halal, vegetarian, and vegan options are widely available and labeled on menu items. Dining Services staff are always happy to work with other dietary needs, whether they are allergies or related to religious observances. For more information, contact Dining Services’ registered dietitian Alice Ma at alice.ma@wsu.edu.

For HOUSING accommodations: Students who, because of cultural or religious obligations, need housing accommodations in the residence hall environment, are to contact Housing and Residence Life to discuss their needs and what arrangements can be made. Students will work with their hall Residential Educational Director (RED) to arrange specifics. If students have concerns regarding a requested accommodation related to their housing, they should contact Compliance and Civil Rights.

For all of these accommodations, timely and clear communication with instructors, staff, and supervisors will greatly facilitate the accommodation approval process.

 

Faculty and staff

For FACULTY/COURSE INSTRUCTORS

WSU faculty are encouraged to acknowledge and communicate clearly to the students about their right to “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” (WA SB5166). Including this in the course syllabus and addressing it at the start of each semester will help guarantee a fully informed student population. Faculty should use the approved syllabus statement about the required religious accommodation policy.

For SUPERVISORS OF STUDENTS

Supervisors with questions regarding religious accommodation requests should contact Human Resource Services.

WSU Interfaith Calendar

This calendar of WSU holidays, traditional observances, and major days of religious significance covers the 2024-2025 academic year. You can use the calendar to help identify classes, exams, activities, or events which may intersect with religious observances.