Faculty
Faculty Handbook
University Policies
Observance of religious holy days
Religious holy days sometimes conflict with class and examination schedules. Section 51.911 and 51.925 of the Texas Education Code relate to absences by students and instructors for observance of religious holy days.
Section 51.911 states that a student who misses an examination, work assignment, or other project due to the observance of a religious holy day must be given an opportunity to complete the work missed within a reasonable time AFTER the absence, provided that he or she has properly notified each instructor.
It is the policy of the University of Texas at Austin that the student must notify each instructor at least fourteen days prior to the classes scheduled on dates he or she will be absent to observe a religious holy day. For religious holidays that fall within the first two weeks of the semester, the notice should be given on the first day of the semester. The student may not be penalized for these excused absences but the instructor may appropriately respond if the student fails to complete satisfactorily the missed assignment or examination within a reasonable time after the excused absence.
Section 51.925 prohibits The University from discriminating against or penalizing an instructor who is absent from class for the observance of a religious holy day. Proper notice must be given to the department chairman. Prior to the beginning of classes each semester, the instructor must provide the department chairman a list of classes that will be missed due to observance of a religious holy day. The list must be either personally delivered, acknowledged, and dated by the chairman, or sent certified mail, return receipt requested. Consistent with regular University policy, the instructor is responsible for finding a qualified substitute U.T. Austin instructor for any such class(es).