It is a policy throughout the State University system that: “on those religious holidays when members of a faith typically observe the expectation of church or synagogue that they be absent from school or work, campuses will avoid the scheduling of such events as registration, the first day of classes, or student convocations, and individual students will be excused from class without penalty if expressly requested.” (From SUNY Policy Manual, 1975, Section No. 091.3.)
If such a requested absence results in a student’s inability to fulfill an academic requirement of a course scheduled on that particular day, the instructor should provide an opportunity for the student to make up the requirement without penalty.