POLICY #6.7
SUBJECT: Student Belief Accommodations

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Policy is to provide processes by which University students, employees, or applicants can request Reasonable Accommodations for sincerely held Religious or Conscience Beliefs, Practices, or Observances.

II. REFERENCES

Southern Utah University Policy 5.27 Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment
Southern Utah University Policy 6.0 Definition of Faculty
Southern Utah University Policy 6.30 Excused Absence
Utah Code § 53H-7-903 Student religious and conscience accommodations

III. DEFINITIONS

Faculty or Faculty Member: See SUU Policy 6.0.
Fundamental Alteration: A change so significant in an examination or assignment that it alters the essential nature, objectives, or standards of a course, program, or degree, and negatively impacts a student's ability to achieve required learning outcomes or competencies, as determined by a designated neutral arbiter.
Good Cause: A valid and sufficient reason that may justify or explain a delay in requesting an accommodation.
Religious or Conscience Belief, Practice, or Observance: All aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief. A person’s religious beliefs need not be confined in either source or content of traditional or parochial concepts of religion. A belief is religious if it is a sincere and meaningful belief that concerns ultimate ideas about life, purpose, and death; is comprehensive in nature; it consists of a belief system as opposed to an isolated teaching; and often can be recognized by the presence of certain formal and external signs. Social, political, or economic philosophies, as well as mere personal preferences, do not qualify as a "Religious or Conscience Belief, Practice, or Observance," but there may be overlap between those and a "Religious or Conscience Belief, Practice, or Observance."
Reasonable Accommodation: Any adjustment that will allow a student to carry out their Religious or Conscience Belief, Practice, or Observance without creating an Undue Hardship for the University or a Fundamental Alteration to a course required for the student's major or graduation.
Undue Hardship: Occurs when a proposed accommodation for Religious or Conscience Belief, Practice, or Observance would impose a substantial burden on the University in the overall context of the University's business. In considering whether an accommodation imposes a substantial burden, the University conducts a fact-specific inquiry and considers, for example, the particular accommodation requested; alternative accommodation options; the practical impact in light of the nature, size, and operating costs of the University; any substantial increased costs required by a proposed accommodation; and the impact of the proposed accommodation on the University conducting its business functions and on the fundamental requirements of courses and other activities.

IV. POLICY

Students
1. Students may request a University Excused Absence (see SUU Policy 6.30) or change to an academic requirement or deadline to accommodate their Religious or Conscience Belief, Practice, or Observance. This may include student requests based on reasons of the student's faith or conscience or the student's participation in an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student's religious tradition or religious organization.
  1. The University will make religious accommodations if:
    1. The time at which an examination or academic requirement is scheduled to occur creates an undue hardship for a student due to the student's Religious or Conscience Belief, Practice, or Observance, the student provides written notice to the Faculty Member of the course, within the first five (5) business days of the term or semester, or thereafter with Good Cause, for which the student seeks the accommodation regarding the date and/or other relevant information, of the examination or academic requirement for which the student seeks the accommodation;
      
      AND
    2. The accommodation does not create an Undue Hardship for the University or a Fundamental Alteration to a course required for the student's major or graduation;
      
      OR
    3. As otherwise required by law to accommodate a student's free exercise of religion.
2. Process
  1. A student's first step should be to make a written request to a Faculty Member of the relevant course or activity within the first five (5) business days of the term or semester, or as soon as possible thereafter. If a request is submitted after the first five (5) business days of the term or semester, there must be Good Cause for the late request. If the student is seeking a waiver or substitution of an entire course as required by their program of study, the student should contact their program's Department Chair and not the Faculty Member assigned to that course.
  2. A Faculty Member who receives a written request from a student may provide a student the requested accommodation if it does not create an Undue Hardship or a Fundamental Alteration to a course required for the student's major or graduation. For example, the Faculty Member may schedule an alternative examination time before or after the regularly scheduled examination, or as applicable, the Faculty Member may make accommodations for other academic or other program requirements related to the requested accommodation.
  3. The Faculty Member shall, per applicable law, to the extent necessary to accomplish the requested accommodation, keep confidential the student's request for accommodation and any related information.
  4. The Faculty Member shall respond to the student's accommodation request in writing as soon as practicable, and at most no later than five (5) business days from the date of receiving the written request. The Faculty Member may consult with the Provost's Office if uncertain as to how to respond to the request.
  5. If the student's accommodation request is not granted by the Faculty Member, the Faculty Member shall provide the student with this Policy and the University's Religious Accommodation Request Form, and shall notify the Provost's Office of the denial by emailing provost@suu.edu. The Faculty Member should also provide the Provost's Office with documentation of the request, the response, and any other relevant documentation.
    1. The Provost will designate one (1) or more neutral arbiters with academic and subject matter expertise necessary to review the accommodation request.
    2. The Provost's designee(s) will evaluate the request and determine whether to approve the requested accommodation, in accordance with applicable laws.
    3. In evaluating the request, the Provost's designee(s) will consider the requirements of this Policy and whether attendance or other academic requirements would create an Undue Hardship or a Fundamental Alteration to a course required for the student's major or graduation. This analysis includes taking into consideration fundamental academic and other requirements of the University.
    4. The Provost's designee(s) may engage in interactive dialogue with the student, and as necessary, the Faculty Member to gather information regarding the requested accommodation and academic requirements.
    5. The decision made by the Provost's designee(s) is final and not subject to further appeal. However, a final decision on the accommodation may be the subject of a grievance under SUU Policy 5.27 if the challenge is within the scope of that policy.
  6. Faculty Members shall adhere to accommodations approved by the Provost's designee(s).
  7. Accommodations provided by a Faculty Member or Provost's designee(s) shall not adversely impact a student's academic opportunities. Faculty shall not retaliate against a student for requesting an accommodation or being directed to implement an accommodation by the Provost's Designee(s).
3. Point of Contact
  1. The Provost's Office serves as the point of contact for information about student religious accommodation requests.
  2. For reference, the Utah System of Higher Education produces a non-exhaustive list of dates of generally recognized religious holidays for some religions. This list is not exhaustive and does not prohibit a student from requesting an accommodation related to a religious holiday not included on the published list.
The University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of religion, including a failure to provide Reasonable Accommodation that does not cause an Undue Hardship, interpreted under and consistent with applicable law. SUU Policy 5.27 is the exclusive policy to review any such claims of discrimination and/or harassment.
No Additional Rights. This Policy is implemented to comply with Utah Code 53H-7-903 and federal law requirements. It is not intended to and does not create any additional rights or contractual obligations beyond what is required by applicable law.

V. RELEVANT FORMS/LINKS

Religious Accommodation Request Form

VI. QUESTIONS/RESPONSIBLE OFFICE

The responsible office for this Policy is the Office of the Provost. For questions, contact the Office of the Provost or the Office of Legal Affairs, as applicable.

VII. POLICY ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT DATES

Date Approved: August 18, 2026 [temporary approval]

Amended: N/A

POLICY #6.7SUBJECT: Student Belief Accommodations