Religious, Spiritual, and Secular Inclusion

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a rich history of religious and interfaith engagement and is home to the first Wesley Methodist Center (1913), first Hillel Center for Jewish Life (1923), first Muslim Students’ Association (1963) and the largest Newman Catholic Center in the United States. As a public land grant institution, the University of Illinois supports and celebrates the many religious and spiritual faith traditions of our students, faculty, and staff.

Supporting Religious Inclusion at Illinois

There are numerous campus-wide and community resources in place to support the religious, spiritual, and secular identities of members of the Illinois community. Below are some key resources for individuals navigating religious life on campus.

Religious Observances in Course and Event Planning

When planning course and campus events, such as assignments, exams, and programs, the University of Illinois encourages faculty and staff, as well as student organizations to be aware of religious observances that may prevent U of I students, faculty, and staff from fully participating.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Access, Civil Rights & Community maintains a Religious Observances Calendar to aid with planning as well as to build awareness of the range of religious and cultural observances celebrated by members of the University of Illinois. This calendar is not all-inclusive and is not intended to exclude any religion, sacred time, or days of religious observance.

Students, faculty, and staff observing religious traditions may also have specific dietary needs that may also require some individuals to fast or adjust their diet. In addition to providing for the specific dietary needs of individuals, it is important to consider how these needs may affect plans for programs and services on campus.

Academic and Workplace Accommodations

Illinois law requires the University to reasonably accommodate its students’ religious beliefs, observances, and practices in regard to admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and work requirements. Students, faculty, and staff have the right to request accommodations, which may range from excused absences to adjusted examination schedules and workplace requirements based on religious or spiritual practices.

General information about religious accommodations can be found on the Office of Access and Equity website and the Student Code. Students who may need additional assistance can contact the Office of the Dean of Students.

Students – Request an Academic Accommodation (Class Attendance, Test Scheduling)

• Request for Accommodations for Religious Observances (Connie Frank CARE Center)
• Information for Faculty on Accommodating Religious Observances (Connie Frank CARE Center)

Employees – Request a Workplace Accommodation (Faculty, Staff, Student Employees)

• Request for Reasonable Accommodations – Including Disability, Religious, or Pregnancy/Breastfeeding (Office of Access & Equity)

How to Report a Concern

Any student may appeal in writing an instructor’s decision on a request based on religious beliefs, observances, and practices to the dean of the academic unit offering the course. Before taking action, the dean or director should request that the instructor explain their decision in writing.

Employees who have received a religious accommodation, and believe their accommodation is not being provided by their supervisor or unit, should contact the Office for Access & Equity.

If you have other concerns about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or other forms of religious intolerance or negative behavior that affects campus community belonging, you can submit your concern to Campus Belonging Bias Response at go.illinois.edu/campusbelonging.