Religious Observances

In compliance with N.C.G.S. 115D-5, as amended in the 2010 legislative session, and 23 N.C.A.C. 02C.0213 of the state administrative code, students are permitted a minimum of two excused days each academic year for religious observances required by their faith. Students will be entitled to make up any tests or other work missed due to an excused absence for a religious observance. To be eligible for these excused absences, students must complete the written application process within the appropriate time frame. (Policy 3.07)

Curriculum Students

Students are permitted to request two (2) excused absences each academic year for religious observances required by the faith of the student and are entitled to make up any tests or other work missed. The following process delineates how to obtain and use these absences: (Procedure 3.07.01)

1. At least 48 hours prior to the beginning of the class or two weeks prior to the religious observance, whichever is later, the student will notify the registrar in writing via email from his/her Rams mail account to registrar@sccnc.edu.  
2. The email and/or form must include the student’s name, ID number, date to be missed for religious observance, brief description of the religious observance, classes that will be missed due to the religious observance (including course/section numbers, course titles and instructors’ names).
3. After verifying that the student still has religious observance days remaining, the registrar will email the student and all indicated instructors that the student is using a religious observance day for the date requested.
4. Upon receipt of the email, the student should immediately contact their instructor(s) to arrange appropriate makeup work.
5. The student make-up work may be completed any time after notification of the instructor by the registrar or within five school days after the absence. If fewer than five school days remain in the term, the student may receive an “I” in the course and finish the course during the next term.
6. If the make-up work is completed in the appropriate time frame, the student will receive credit for the missed work with no penalty. If the make-up work is not completed in the appropriate timeframe, the student will receive no credit for the missed work.

Continuing Education Students

Students are permitted to request up to two (2) excused absences per class each semester for religious observances required by the faith of the student. Continuing education students will be granted the opportunity to make up work missed while absent from class for excused religious observances. The following outlines student and instructor responsibilities associated with these requests: (Procedure 3.07.02)

• Students must provide written request(s) for absence(s) to their instructor(s) at least one week in advance of religious observance. The written request should include student name, the course title, date of absence and a brief description of religious observance. Written requests will become part of class file(s) and will be turned in with attendance sheets at the end of each class.
• Instructor(s) will assist students on a case-by-case basis to make-up missed work.

The above procedure does not supersede continuing education attendance requirements for satisfactory course completion.