2008 Woodie Awards
Pagan students at Marshall University excused for non-traditional holidays
Melissa Skolnick
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: News
A new policy has been implemented at Marshall University in West Virginia that excuses Pagan students, or those who practice religions other than Christianity, Judaism or Islam, from classes to observe religious holidays or festivals.
Marshall University is one of the only schools in the country that officially allows Pagan students to miss classes. Because some students may lie about their religious beliefs in order to be excused from class, a student who wishes to be excused must fill out a written request with the dean of Student Affairs.
Marty Laubach, a sociology professor at Marshall University and an adviser to a group of Pagan students, believes the new policy is a positive step for the institution.
"I think that it's an opportunity to legitimize one of the new religious movements," Laubach said.
He said the new policy will help create more awareness of Neopaganism.
"There are some parts of society that really do not want to grant legitimacy to new religious movements," Laubach said.
The policies at the University of Delaware regarding excused absences differ from those at Marshall University.
The university faculty handbook states that "Absences on religious holidays listed in university calendars is recognized as an excused absence." The religious holidays listed on the calendar include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Good Friday and Passover.
"Absences on religious holidays not listed in university calendars […] shall be recognized as excused absences when the student informs the instructor in writing during the first two weeks of the semester of these planned absences for the semester."
Joseph DiMartile, assistant provost of the university, said the policy does not exclude anyone from obtaining an excused absence for a religious reason. He said all students must do is inform their instructors beforehand.
DiMartile explained why the university does not cancel classes for religious holidays.
Marshall University is one of the only schools in the country that officially allows Pagan students to miss classes. Because some students may lie about their religious beliefs in order to be excused from class, a student who wishes to be excused must fill out a written request with the dean of Student Affairs.
Marty Laubach, a sociology professor at Marshall University and an adviser to a group of Pagan students, believes the new policy is a positive step for the institution.
"I think that it's an opportunity to legitimize one of the new religious movements," Laubach said.
He said the new policy will help create more awareness of Neopaganism.
"There are some parts of society that really do not want to grant legitimacy to new religious movements," Laubach said.
The policies at the University of Delaware regarding excused absences differ from those at Marshall University.
The university faculty handbook states that "Absences on religious holidays listed in university calendars is recognized as an excused absence." The religious holidays listed on the calendar include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Good Friday and Passover.
"Absences on religious holidays not listed in university calendars […] shall be recognized as excused absences when the student informs the instructor in writing during the first two weeks of the semester of these planned absences for the semester."
Joseph DiMartile, assistant provost of the university, said the policy does not exclude anyone from obtaining an excused absence for a religious reason. He said all students must do is inform their instructors beforehand.
DiMartile explained why the university does not cancel classes for religious holidays.
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