Senate Bill 24-25-10
| Bill ID: | 24-25-10 |
| Name: | Review of UMD Policy on Excused Absence [V-1.00 (G)] |
| Proposed: | 05/07/2024 |
| Proposal: | The Maryland Code, specifically the 2023 update, which includes Section 15, Subsection 137, has changed. This section mandates that each institution of higher education in Maryland adopt a written policy providing reasonable academic accommodations for students to practice sincerely held faith-based or religious beliefs. A brief overview of the relevant section updates are below, and they require: 1. A policy that offers accommodations, including excused absences, for students to observe religious holidays or participate in religious activities. 2. The provision of reasonable alternative accommodations for students who miss examinations or other academic requirements due to such excused absences. 3. A grievance procedure to report non-compliance with the policy. The current university policy on excused absences does not adequately address the requirements of the updated statute. |
| Active? | Yes |
Status
| Status: | Under Review |
| Reviewer: | Academic Procedures & Standards (APAS) Committee |
| Received: | 2024-09-03 |
| Decision Due By: | 2025-03-07 |
| Decision: | The Academic Procedures & Standards (APAS) Committee will review this policy in their next meetings. |
| Next Step: | APAS will report their findings to the SEC. |
| Status: | Complete |
| Reviewer: | Senate Executive Committee (SEC) |
| Received: | 2024-05-10 |
| Decision Date: | 2024-05-17 |
| Decision: | The SEC charged the Academic Procedures & Standards (APAS) Committee with the review of this policy. |
| Next Step: | The Academic Procedures & Standards (APAS) Committee will review the charges at their next meetings and report back to the SEC. |