The University of Vermont removed final exams scheduled for Saturday from next year’s calendar, but left exams for this year on Shabbat.
The university’s faculty senate voted earlier this month in response to complaints of religious insensitivity to remove exams from Saturday for next year, but decided to keep the Saturday, Dec. 11 date on this year’s calendar, saying it was too complicated to change the calendar so close to exams, the Burlington Free Press reported. The faculty senate also voted to remove Saturday exams from the three remaining years in the next five-year cycle.
“But this is one time, one year, one fall,” James Burgmeier, professor of mathematics and president of the faculty senate told the Free Press. “Just one little blip. But it’s an important problem, so I’m glad the senate agreed to reconsider.”
Jewish students and faculty will be allowed to make alternative arrangements for this December exams, the administration told the newspaper.
