Accommodations for Religious Beliefs, Practices, and Observances
Policy Statement
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center acknowledges the rights of students to observe their religious beliefs and practices. UTHSC will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodations relating to religious beliefs and practices in response to a formal written student request. However, accommodations cannot be guaranteed in instances where such would create an undue burden on faculty, a disproportionate negative effect on other students who are participating in the scheduled educational activity, or jeopardize patient care.
Procedure
Students beginning new programs or courses of study in a particular college will be advised by that college as to college-, program- or course-specific procedures that should be followed to obtain an accommodation for religious practices or observances. Students are encouraged to be proactive in reviewing college-, program- and course-specific assignments/activities in advance of matriculation/registration to determine whether these requirements might in some way conflict with their religious beliefs, practices or observances. Should such conflicts be in evidence, students should discuss possible options with the appropriate college official or faculty member. Reasonable accommodations may not be feasible in instances where there is a direct and insurmountable conflict between religious beliefs or observances and requirements of a given program.
It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the course instructor or clerkship/experiential director as soon as possible, but no less than 30 days in advance of the religious holiday during which the student is requesting to be absent. It is also the student’s responsibility to meet all course obligations. Such requests are required for any and all educational activities scheduled for the date(s) in question, e.g. classroom exercises, laboratory assignments, exams, clinical/experiential assignments, etc. Finally, students are obligated to abide by the policies and procedures on religious practices and observances of any given patient-care institution (i.e., hospital, clinical setting) in which they are completing a portion of their educational experience. If a potential conflict between a student’s religious beliefs, practices or observations and institutional policy is identified, the student is to bring such to the attention of the clerkship/experiential director as soon as possible.
It is the course instructor or clerkship/experiential director’s responsibility to negotiate with a student the parameters of reasonable accommodations. The accommodations should be no more difficult than the originally scheduled activity or assignment. Instructors or experiential directors are not obligated to provide materials or experiences to students that would not normally be provided to all other students. In the event a student and instructor or clerkship/experiential director cannot reach an agreement regarding reasonable accommodations, the student may request a review of the request by a designated college official. The decision of the designated college official will be final.
Requesting Accommodations
Students with documented disabilities who wish to request accommodations must self-identify by registering with Disability Services and submitting documentation. We engage in an interactive process and reviews requests for accommodations on an individual basis. In determining eligibility for accommodations, we consider each individual’s condition, history, request and the essential functions (technical standards) of the academic program.
Once we’ve received a student’s application AND documentation, please allow ten business days for the process to be completed. However, at certain times in the semester, such as at the beginning of each semester, the volume of students applying for accommodations is higher and the length of time to complete the process may take longer.
Below is the process that must be followed to request accommodations due to a disability:
- Please review the Student Handbook for Accessibility and Accommodations. This provides an overview and summary of the procedures and guidelines for students requesting and receiving accommodations.
- Within the online application (found under Step 2) students must acknowledge they have reviewed this handbook.
- Complete a new student application here. Sign in with your NetID and password.
- Helpful hints for completing the application:
- Use a computer (not a smart phone).
- Application times out after 30 minutes, so it must be completed and submitted at once.
- Tip: copy/paste your answers into a document/sticky note so that in the event the application times out you can easily resubmit the information.
- Do not refresh the page or else you will need to resubmit information.
- Documentation is needed to help support your disability. Please refer to our documentation guidelines to see what information is required based on your specific disability.
- Upload your documentation.
- Upon receiving both the application and documentation, the information will be forwarded to the disability consultant to begin the review of information process.
- After reviewing a student’s application and documentation, the disability consultant will reach out to the student to schedule the intake interview.
- Once the review process and intake interview are completed, accommodations are determined and communicated to the student.
- Once approved for accommodations, a student may request to make changes or request additional accommodations at any time. To do so, send email to accommodations@uthsc.edu. Once submitted, this information will go through the same review process as before and the determination of the change/accommodation will be communicated to the student. Keep in mind that accommodations are not retroactive.
Reduced Distraction Environment
A reduced distraction environment is defined by the University of Tennessee as:
The student needs to take the exam in an area that is reasonably quiet with low stimuli when compared to the classroom. The environment doesn’t need to be a silent private setting. The environment may include taking the test with other students; however, the room chosen must allow for students to start and finish their exams with limited interruptions. Tools that may help further reduce distractions for students may include noise canceling headsets, ear plugs, study carrels, etc.
Private Testing Space
A space for a student to complete an exam in a reasonably quiet space with low stimuli, and no additional testers. A proctor may be present in the space, however, will work to minimize disturbing the student. Reasonable locations may include a reserved conference room, office, closable cubicle, classroom, or lounge with a door.
Extended Time
A time extension during a quiz or exam to provide necessary breaks, to utilize assistive technology, and provide equitable access.
Applying and Requesting Accommodations for Boards
We are available to assist any student applying for testing accommodations on a board exam. Please contact Keri Snyder for an appointment at 901.448.7745.
Important Information About Applying for Services
- Accommodations are not retroactive. If you are not sure if you'’ll need accommodations, it is better to have them in place should the need occur.
- Accommodations can be requested at any point during the semester. However, it does take time to process the request and review documentation to determine the provision of accommodations. Don’'t wait until your test is days away.
- A prior history of accommodations in a previous academic environment is not a guarantee that accommodations would be granted. A prior history of accommodations without a demonstration of a current need does not in itself warrant the provision of similar accommodations.
- For students that have a disability but do not wish to seek accommodations, we still encourage you to register with our office.
- Self-disclosure of a disability is completely voluntary; however, students wishing to request accommodations must self-disclose their disability and make a direct request for accommodations.
- All information is confidential. Written consent by the student would be needed for information to be released.
- Students must be officially approved for accommodations in order to receive them.
- An approved accommodation(s) for a test is not a guarantee that an accommodation would be approved on clinicals/rotations.
- An approved accommodation at UTHSC is not a guarantee that an accommodation(s) would be granted on board exams.