High Holidays 2020 class absence form

Dear Hillel Students,

You recently received an email from Provost Robertson with the subject line Important Update from Academic Affairs.

It included the following paragraph regarding religious observations: 

Students are reminded that New York State Education Law Section 224-a requires accommodation of students who miss courses due to religious observations. Students who will be out of class due to observance of Yom Kippur on Monday, September 28, should watch for an email from the Director of Jewish Student Life for access to an online form that will assist in providing verification to your faculty that you will be out of class due to the holiday.

I am reaching out with the link to that online form, but also with an explanation as to its purpose.

Every year, Jewish students who observe the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur have to deal with possible conflicts between their religious observance and school duties. Campus is legally required to accommodate students who observe the High Holidays. You are allowed to take time away from your classes – whether to attend religious services or to take time to reflect independently.

However, you have certain obligations, too. As a courtesy and practical matter, you should directly inform professors about holiday absences as early as possible. You also must complete all assignments as scheduled and on time, unless you have made other arrangements with your instructors. You will not be excused from taking tests already scheduled for the Jewish holidays. You absolutely must arrange with your instructors to take such tests on another day.

SUNY Geneseo Hillel students have written a guide that includes sample conversations and copy/paste emails to send to your professors on your own: https://www.geneseo.edu/hillel/highholidayobservancehowto

Please let your professors know they are always free to contact me if they wish to know more about the Jewish High Holidays or have questions about how they are observed. You should also feel comfortable reaching out to me if you feel you have not been properly accommodated.

The purpose of the form Provost Robertson referred to in her email is to include the additional option of requesting a memo be sent from the Dean of Students on your behalf. Faculty are very used to receiving requests for accommodation from the Dean of Students in the event of illness, family emergencies, or other circumstances. Remember that you do not have to complete this form to be legally excused from participation for High Holiday observance. The Google form can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/zAb7sZ4prsSiN8q4A

I wish all of you a sweet, healthy and happy New Year!

Laura Matthews (she/her/hers)
Director of Jewish Student Life
SUNY Geneseo
(585) 245-6452
geneseo.edu/hillel