Religious Observance Policy

In accordance with North Carolina Administrative Code, Sampson Community College will grant any student of the College two excused absences each academic year for religion observances required by the faith of the student. An academic year is defined as beginning on August 1 in one year and ending on July 31 in the following year. The two excused absences may be taken at any time during the academic year either on separate days or on two consecutive days. The excused absences shall be taken within the absences allowed in the College’s attendance policy as published in the SCC Catalog and the Student Handbook.

The student must submit a “Request for Excused Absence for Religious Observance Form” to the Dean of Student Services or his/her designee for the excused absences at least two (2) weeks prior to the date the student intends to be absent for the religious observance. A request form must be completed for each class missed and may be obtained in Student Services. Appropriate faculty will be notified within 72 hours of receiving the request. Students granted an excused absence for the purpose of religious observance will be given the opportunity to make up any work or test missed due to an excused absence. No more than two tests per day may be given to a student who is making up a test or tests due to the absence(s) excused for the purpose of the religious observance. Instructors are prohibited from implementing unnecessary sanctions, requiring additional work, or making unreasonable requests of student who are duly granted excused absences for religious observance.