Religious Discrimination? Or Out of luck?

[LegalShmegal]

Suppose I am a near 4.0 GPA accounting student at a top state University. Now suppose I have a religion in which I have to be out of town for 10 full days in October.

Now suppose that 3 of my 4 professors have been more than willing to let me get e-mailed copies of audio recordings--but when the 4th professor is approached he says in so many words;

"Sorry--the documents I post online that all students have is all you get. This is a live class. In fact, it's against policy to record classes and if they made me do that I wouldn't be teaching here."

Now suppose that another professor in the same department confirms that there is no such policy, and also that they have had negative experiences with this faculty member as well.

Now if the student feels discriminated against and that their performance is at risk -- and that they feel they are being penalized because of their religion--- do they have any legal recourse?

This student has already sought legal advice from the school legal services which won't get involved since it's an internal issue and they can't have a conflict of interest. The students' advisor is also the professor who said that character is too shady--and so the student feels there is no avenue to file complaints or feelings of being discriminated against based on their religion.

What legal course can the student pursue? Or are they up a creek without a paddle? Can the professor just do what they want? What lawyers deal with these issues and where can one be found?

 

[xylene]

Rephrase this as a non-hypothetical

Then ask your schools ombudsmen for assistance.

 

[LegalShmegal]

Rephrase this as a non-hypothetical

Then ask your schools ombudsmen for assistance.

Whether stated Hypothetically or not, it is clear what the question is. If anyone has an answer that would be great. I am not aware of who would be considered an obudsman in a university setting, Sorry. The University in question is BGSU :: Academics :: University Home Page

Thanks for your reply.

 

[Zigner]

Whether stated Hypothetically or not, it is clear what the question is. If anyone has an answer that would be great. I am not aware of who would be considered an obudsman in a university setting, Sorry. The University in question is BGSU :: Academics :: University Home Page

Thanks for your reply.

You were given an answer...

 

[LegalShmegal]

You were given an answer...

One that I obviously don't understand.

"I am not aware of who would be considered an obudsman in a university setting, Sorry."

Not everyone is fluent in these terms and a more lay-man's response would be appreciated for the ignorant one's such as myself who are not as affluent.

 

[xylene]

Pick up the campus telephone director and look up

Ombudsman

or

Office of the University Ombudsman

Ask your dean, or a telephone operator, to assist you in contacting this person.

The ombudsman is the officer in the university setting who is responsible for the first steps in greivance resolution between students and admin.

You see this person long before matters escalate to litigation. The sooner the better.

 

[PJ Weber]

Then ask your schools ombudsmen for assistance

I am not aware of who would be considered an obudsman in a university setting, Sorry

I found it in less than six minutes of looking, that includes the crappy link you provided

Were you college material you should have found it faster. Not everything is handed to you

 

[ecmst12]

You can also try the department head, or the dean of students. I don't know if all schools would have a person titled 'ombudsman' (I do know what one is), I'm pretty sure mine did not. But a university should really know better then to engage in anything resembling religious discrimination.

That said, will this truly affect your performance? Is the summary posted on the web a sufficent substitute? Or is there another student you can borrow notes from? They may not have to provide the exact accomodation you request so long as you are able to get the information. We're only talking about a couple of classes here and there are legit reasons professors might not want to have their lectures being recorded and given out.

 

[stealth2]

Personally speaking, I don't see it as religious discrimination. While you have religious obligations, being out of town is not a requirement. THAT is a choice. I am certain there are temples in and around the BG area where you could attend services. The prof isn't required to cater to your choice to turn your religious observance into a mid-term vacation.

Many students miss class for religious observances, and make arrangements to get class notes, etc from another student.

 

[HomeGuru]

Whether stated Hypothetically or not, it is clear what the question is. If anyone has an answer that would be great. I am not aware of who would be considered an obudsman in a university setting, Sorry. The University in question is BGSU :: Academics :: University Home Page

Thanks for your reply.

**A: sorry, you're not clear.

 

[Peligroso27]

I am not aware of any religion that requires a believer to "be gone for ten days". If the OP is Muslim and is referring to taking the Hadj, this is only required once in a lifetime by the five pillars. It is not discrimination to not make special concessions for someone because of a non mandatory trip. If this is inaccurate please enlighten me as to what religion requires you to be gone for ten days during October.

 

[seniorjudge]

I am not aware of any religion that requires a believer to "be gone for ten days". If the OP is Muslim and is referring to taking the Hadj, this is only required once in a lifetime by the five pillars. It is not discrimination to not make special concessions for someone because of a non mandatory trip. If this is inaccurate please enlighten me as to what religion requires you to be gone for ten days during October.

2008 Feast of Tabernacles > United Church of God, an International Association

 

[Peligroso27]

(Feast of Tabernacles* October 14-20) Correct me if I am wrong but that is not ten full days.

 

[ecmst12]

I'm going to guess that OP is celebrating the Jewish high holidays which begin at sundown on 9/29. All but the strictest observances of these holidays would only require missing class on the 2 days of Rosh Hashanah and the day of Yom Kippur, not the days in between. And it's pretty uncommon for Jews to take off for Rosh Hashanah anymore (I don't). Unless OP is really going to go home and go to synagogue every day during those 10 days, I don't think it's a truly legit religious need, only trying to save money or gas from having to travel twice in 2 weeks. That's a family obligation, not religious.

 

[stealth2]

I'm going to guess that OP is celebrating the Jewish high holidays which begin at sundown on 9/29. All but the strictest observances of these holidays would only require missing class on the 2 days of Rosh Hashanah and the day of Yom Kippur, not the days in between. And it's pretty uncommon for Jews to take off for Rosh Hashanah anymore (I don't). Unless OP is really going to go home and go to synagogue every day during those 10 days, I don't think it's a truly legit religious need, only trying to save money or gas from having to travel twice in 2 weeks. That's a family obligation, not religious.

My thought exactly.

seniorjudge - your link barfed on me.