Religion
Religion can be defined as a collection of spiritual beliefs, faith, and a cultural system of practices and worship. Prejudice directed against individuals and groups based on their religious or spiritual beliefs, practice, adherence, identification, or affiliation can be defined as religious discrimination.
Please be aware of the following resources that provide important information regarding your rights, including federal and state laws, as well as campus resources to assist students, staff, and faculty.
Federal & State Laws, Definitions & Resources
Students*
- US Department of Education-Office for Civil Rights: Religious Discrimination - The laws that OCR enforces do not expressly address religious discrimination. However, the law OCR enforces that prohibits schools from discriminating based on race, color or national origin (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) protects students of any religion from discrimination, including harassment, based on actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, or citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity
- US Department of Justice: Types of Educational Opportunities Discrimination - The Civil Rights Division, Educational Opportunities Section enforces several federal civil rights laws which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, language, sex, religion, and disability in schools and colleges
Faculty & Staff*
- US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Religious Discrimination
- Religious Garb and Grooming in the Workplace: Rights and Responsibilities (EEOC Fact Sheet)
- Workplace Rights of Employees Who Are, or Are Perceived to Be, Muslim or Middle Eastern (EEOC Q & A)
- For Managers & Supervisors: Workplace Rights of Employees Who Are, or Are Perceived to Be, Muslim or Middle Eastern (EEOC Q & A)
- Maryland Commission on Civil Rights: Employment Discrimination
Campus Resources
- Religious Accommodations - Students, staff, and faculty have the right to request an accommodation for religious observance if its sincerely held religious beliefs conflict with a University policy, procedure, or other academic or employment requirement
- Staff and Faculty should make requests for religious accommodations directly with their supervisors
- Students should speak with their professors and department
USG offers a Meditation Space to its students, faculty, and staff members for quiet time and prayers, located in Building III, 4th floor, behind the south tower elevators
Please note, The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) is committed to creating and maintaining an educational, working, and living environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.
*Source: UMD Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct