The law state lawmakers passed last month requiring universities to allow a minimum of two excused absences for students and staff observing religious holidays is motivating the University to re-evaluate its diversity policy.

Lawmakers passed the law in August, allowing employees and students to miss work or class without penalty for certain religious holidays. The University’s current policy is to allow students and staff two excused absences for religious observances.

The University’s diversity policy has been in place since July 16, 2007. According to Marth Gumpertz, assistant vice provost for faculty and staff diversity, although campus officials have not changed the policy yet, they may soon.

“No changes are being made as of right now, although the absence number could change,” Gumpertz said.

According to Gumpertz, she makes University staff aware of the important religious observances each year and encourages them to be sensitive when planning their courses.

“I send out a message every summer to the units on campus that says which holidays are important and to be sensitive when planning coursework,” Gumpertz said.

The University’s complete diversity calendar, available online, includes Jewish, Muslim, and Baha’i holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Eid al-Fitr. The list is not considered exhaustive; students can contact the Student Organization Resource Office in Talley Student Center to inquire about holidays that are not listed.

“We have not had any issues with accommodation so far. The staff is usually very understanding to students,” Gumpertz said.

Ramadan, an important Muslim holiday that began Aug. 11, is missing from the list. According to Gumpertz, it is very uncommon for people to take off from work or school in observance of Ramadan.

“People don’t typically take off for Ramadan,” Gumpertz said.

But she said the end of Ramadan, known as Eid al-Fitr, is something people take leave for occasionally. Missing class or work for this is considered excused by the University.

According to the three-year-old University policy, students must fill out a form to receive an excused absence.

“[The University is] understanding about students missing class for observing holidays, however it is kind of unnecessary that we have to fill out a form,” Sarah Berger, a Jewish freshmen in First Year College, said.

Staff members at the University are also allotted time off for religious holidays. They are expected to make a formal request for time off through the University, much like students are expected to. Although staff can request time off, the University is not required to give time off if it will result in inconvenience.

According to Gumpertz, if the University is unable to offer time off for staff as a religious observance, the staff is able to use some of their vacation leave.

“The University tries to be very accommodating to faculty and students when it comes to religious observances,” Gumpertz said.

Anna Bigelow, assistant professor of religious studies, said the social effects of the new law are good. Bigelow said she believes policies like this should be a way to educate people who do not observe these holidays.

“This might make people from the widespread Christian faith more aware that we don’t all follow the same religious calendar,” Bigelow said.

The way students and faculty feel about this new law is widely unknown right now. The law is fairly new and the effect on the University is still being determined.

“It remains to be seen how students will take advantage of this policy and how professors will handle it,” Bigelow said.

According to Bigelow, there are many reasons why celebrating these holidays is important. Despite strong commitments to school and work, she believes that religion must sometimes take precedence.

“Oftentimes religious observances are important to add a sense of community,” Bigelow said.

North Carolina’s new law promotes a diverse state in terms of religion. The policy on observance for various religious holidays benefits many religions, according to Bigelow.

“This is a step for important acknowledgement towards a multi-cultural state,” Bigelow said.