Religious Accommodation and Expression Policy Revised

The University at Buffalo is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all, regardless of religious affiliation or belief. As a public employer and educational institution, UB does not endorse any specific religious tenet or belief. Rather, the university respects that each member of its community may have his or her own religious beliefs, or may not ascribe to any religious tenet or belief. Members of the university community will not be required or coerced to abandon, alter, or adopt a religious belief or practice as a condition of employment or participation in university activities, nor will they be subjected to harassment on the basis of religious belief. UB adheres to the principles of free speech regarding religious expression, and will not limit religious speech or expression unless such speech or expression creates an undue hardship or is contrary to the university’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy.

The university will provide reasonable religious accommodations when necessary for individuals to participate in employment and educational opportunities, as well as other university programs and activities, unless the accommodation poses an undue hardship.

The policy has been revised to update the definition of Harassment to:

• include gender expression and familial status
  
• replace ex-offender status with criminal conviction status

This policy:

• Applies to all members of the university community, including students, faculty, staff,  volunteers, vendors, visitors, and guests
• Applies to all employment and educational practices and actions
• Applies to all job classifications, titles, and appointment types, whether full-time, part-time, or volunteers
• Applies to all university policies, practices, and actions including, but not limited to, recruitment, hire, rate of pay or other compensation, advancement, upgrading, promotion, demotion, renewal, non-renewal, termination, transfer, layoff, leave, training, grading, housing, and employee and student benefits of whatever nature
• Applies to all university organizational units
• Expects that each contractor, supplier, union, public agency, or cooperative agent will support this policy by complying with applicable state and federal legal requirements prohibiting discrimination on the basis of religion

Questions can be directed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at 716-645-2266 or diversity@buffalo.edu.