The Spiritual Life Center recognizes there is a diversity of religious observances, holy days, and festivals not formally observed in the University Calendar. Additionally, we acknowledge that many religious traditions follow dietary restrictions. Because of this, the Spiritual Life Center has created a Religious Holiday Observance Policy and a Religious Dietary Accommodation Policy.
Religious Holiday Observance and Syllabi Statement
To observe a day not formally included on the University calendar, students are encouraged to work directly with their professors, to alert them to any absence and prepare any work required ahead of time to make up for their absence in class. Students are encouraged to reference the Interfaith Holiday Calendar. If your holiday is not present on this calendar, please contact spiritualife@lynchburg.edu.
The following Religious Holiday Observance Syllabi statement was approved by the Provost of Academic Affairs and circulated to all faculty members.
The University of Lynchburg recognizes the value of religious diversity and inclusivity while striving to accommodate students’ commitment to their religious or secular traditions whenever possible. When conflicts between holy days or other religious practices and academic scheduling arise, every effort should be made to allow students to adhere to their tradition, including, when possible, excusing class absences and allowing make-up work. A student anticipating the need to miss a class for religious reasons should alert the faculty member within the first two weeks of the semester, and the two of them should determine the next course of action. Any unresolved difficulty should be referred to the University Chaplain in the Spiritual Life Center where any questions, concerns, or support are always available via spirituallife@lynchburg.edu.
Religious Dietary Accommodations Policy
The University of Lynchburg recognizes the value of religious diversity and inclusivity while striving to accommodate students’ commitment to their religious or secular traditions whenever possible. Dining Services provides many options that focus on fresh, locally sourced foods, and high-quality meals to meet a variety of dietary needs within the campus community. Here are the University’s available accommodations.
- Vegetarian/Vegan: Religious dietary requirements, such as maintaining a vegetarian or vegan diet, can be accommodated in the dining hall.
- Halal: Certified halal chicken breasts and some beef products are occasionally served on a rotating basis in the dining hall. However, not all meat products are certified halal. During Ramadan, early morning access to the dining hall and takeout boxes are available to those students fasting.
- Kosher: Limited Passover-appropriate options are provided for students on an as-needed basis. However, the University of Lynchburg does not have a kosher kitchen nor can it provide regular kosher meals.
- Religious Fasting: There are options for those students who regularly fast or refrain from eating particular foods for religious holidays (e.g. not consuming meat during Lent or Buddhist fasts, Falahaar meals, etc)
Students who need additional religious dietary accommodations beyond what is provided above should complete the Religious Dietary Accommodation Form. The Spiritual Life Center will work with students who request religious dietary accommodations and may approve a decreased meal plan and/or exemption. When approved, student accounts and financial aid will be adjusted accordingly.
For additional questions, please contact the Spiritual Life Center at spirituallife@lynchburg.edu. For those individuals seeking dietary accommodations not based on religious purposes, contact the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources.
Religious Dietary Accommodations Process
- Students who are requesting a religious dietary accommodation must complete the Religious Dietary Accommodation Form.
- Once completed, a member from the Spiritual Life Center will meet with the student to discuss their religious dietary needs.
- If in consultation with Dining Services, the Spiritual Life Center determines the meal plan cannot meet the student’s needs, the Spiritual Life Center may approve the student for a decreased meal plan (from an Unlimited Meal Plan to a Hornet Meal Plan) or an exemption.
Circumstances in which such an exemption might be approved include, but are not limited to:- Students who keep kosher.
- Dharmic Religions (Jain, Buddhist, Hindu) on strict vegetarian or vegan diets without root vegetables including onions and garlic.
- The Spiritual Life Center staff will work with any student who is approved for an exemption and consult with Dining Services, the Business Office, and (if needed) the Office of Housing and Residence Life to ensure the implementation of the exemption.
