New exam schedule requires accommodations for student,faculty religious observance

In light of the amended Spring 2002 academic calendar in which exams have been scheduled on Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, faculty members must be aware that New York State law requires accommodations be made for religious observance.

For students and faculty who practice strict religious observance, Saturday or Sunday may be regarded as the Sabbath, precluding the taking or giving of an examination. Faculty members should be aware of the state education statute that states: "It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to make available to each student who is absent from school because of his or her religious beliefs an equivalent opportunity…to make up any examination…which he or she may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days."

The statue further provides that "Any student who is aggrieved by the alleged failure of any faculty or administrative official to comply in good faith with the provisions of this section shall be entitled to maintain an action proceeding in the supreme court of the county in which such institution of higher education is located for the enforcement of his or her rights under this section."

Make-up examinations will be required for students who state they are unable to take an examination on their day of observance.

The Spring 2002 calendar was amended last fall after it was determined there were too few instructional days in the original calendar and that, although the calendar met a number of regulations governing SUNY academic calendars, it did not fulfill the state education department's definition of full-time study.

With the assistance of the Faculty Senate, a revised calendar was adopted. The adjusted calendar restores most instructional days and complies with the state requirement of 15 instructional weeks, including examinations.

The revised calendar extends instructional days to Friday, May 3. Final exam week will begin on Saturday, May 4, and continue uninterrupted—including Sunday, May 5—until Thursday, May 9. Reading days will be eliminated. Commencement will occur as scheduled, with General Commencement set for Sunday, May 12.

Original Calendar
Last day of classes: Monday, April 29
Reading days: Tuesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 1
Final exams begin: Thursday, May 2
Final exams end: Thursday, May 9

Amended Calendar
Last day of classes: Friday, May 3
No Reading Days
Final exams begin: Saturday, May 4
Final exams end: Thursday, May 9