Brandeis University is committed to supporting the religious practices and observances of all of our students.
Brandeis University is committed to creating and maintaining a community that is respectful of the various religious beliefs of its students, staff and faculty. Student athletes are entitled to reasonable accommodations when a religious belief or practice is in conflict with athletic obligations. Coaches and administrators can work with student athletes to identify reasonable accommodations that will allow for absences from practices and competitions as necessary for religious observances or holidays; will endeavor to ensure that practices competitions, as much as reasonably possible, are not scheduled in conflict with known religious observances or holidays; and that coaches provide ample opportunities for students to make up any missed activities due to religious observances or holidays without penalty. It is the obligation of a student to identify to the coaches or administrators any religious observance or holidays that may conflict with their obligations as an athlete, and to request a reasonable accommodation for the conflict.
The following list of guidelines developed regarding varsity athletics practices/competitions and religious observances:
- When reviewing schedules, coaches and administrators will make every effort to avoid scheduling competition on religious holidays and observances noted in the University calendars. At the beginning of each sport season, coaches will send members of the team the entire schedule (practices/competitions) for review. During the first two weeks of the season, students should review the schedule and identify potential conflicts (i.e. practice, competition, travel) due to religious observances or holidays.
- When a potential conflict is identified by a student, they must contact the head coach of their team and the Director of Athletics, or their designee, to discuss a reasonable accommodation for that religious observance or holiday. If there is a conflict due to travel arrangements and the student-athlete prefers to attend the competition, alternative travel arrangements may be made.
- Practices and competitions missed due to approved accommodations for religious observances or holidays may be excused and there will be no penalty to the student-athlete’s participation in the sport.
Students may also contact the Office of Equal Opportunity (oeo@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4806) to discuss religious accommodations.
