As an institution that centers diversity, equity and inclusion in its mission, NIU celebrates and values the practices and perspectives of people from all faiths and belief systems. We recognize that some religious practices require students, faculty and staff to be absent from classes, activities and workplaces. We respect the right of students, faculty and staff to participate in those practices.
We ask that students provide written notice to their instructors in advance of such an absence in order to be accommodated. We also ask employees to provide written notice to their supervisors of anticipated absences or the need for an accommodation for a specific practice.
Faculty and individuals in supervisory positions are expected to be considerate of the interests of individuals who desire to participate in religious observances. The Presidential Commission on Interfaith Initiatives provides resources, including a link to an interfaith religious calendar. Please review this calendar frequently and be mindful of these dates when scheduling important assignments and workplace meetings.
You can read NIU’s policy below, which aligns with Illinois Statute:
“Northern Illinois University complies with the University Religious Observances Act (110 ILCS 110/). Details of the Act are available here.
Northern Illinois University as a public institution of higher education in the State of Illinois does not observe religious holidays. It is the university’s policy, however, to reasonably accommodate the religious observances of individual students in regard to admissions, class attendance, scheduling examinations and work requirements.
Such policies shall be made known to faculty and students. Religious observance includes all aspects of religious observance and practice as well as belief. Absence from classes or examinations for religious observance does not relieve students from responsibility for any part of the course work required during the period of absence.
To request accommodation, students who expect to miss classes, examinations or other assignments as a consequence of their religious observance shall provide instructors with reasonable notice of the date or dates they will be absent.”
Students who believe they have been denied a reasonable accommodation should contact the person identified by the department to hear such complaints, usually the department chair. If the issue is not resolved at the department level, students should contact the office of the dean of the college in which the course is offered. If the issue is still unresolved, the student should contact the Office of the Provost. Additionally, students may contact the ombudsperson for advice.
Employees who believe they have been denied a reasonable accommodation should contact the person identified by the department to hear such complaints, usually the head of the department for which the employee works. If the issue is not resolved at the departmental level, employees should contact the office of the vice president for the division in which the employee works. If the issue is still unresolved, the employee should contact the Ethics and Compliance Office. Additionally, employees may contact the ombudsperson for advice.
Bill Hodson
Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer
Beth Ingram
Executive Vice President and Provost
Vernese Edghill-Walden
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
