Provost Thomas E. Headrick has sent the following letter to the senior vice president, vice presidents, deans, vice provosts, chairs and directors:

There have been concerns expressed by various members of the UB community about the plan to phase out Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by Fall 1997. After listening carefully, I have decided to revise the plan. In the Fall semester, UB will continue to observe the following religious holidays as non-class days: the first day of Rosh Hashanah and the day of Yom Kippur.

Classes will be held on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Following our clear obligation to conform to New York State law, no student is to suffer any penalty for being absent on that day of class. This will also hold true for other similar religious holidays designated in a list we will, in the future, stipulate on each year's university calendar.

As a further matter of policy, the university asks all faculty not to hold tests, exams or crucial presentations on religious holidays named on the list. In cases where problems might arise, faculty should go out of their way to make sure that students don't feel singled out by having to miss required tests or exercises. I want to stress the importance of everyone's complete understanding and cooperation in this regard. If satisfactory arrangements cannot be worked out between the student and instructor, and failing resolution by the appropriate department chair or dean, an appeal can be taken to the Provost's Office.

In making its original proposal to phase out Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Calendar Commission was motivated to conform the university's schedule to a calendar it felt suitable for an educational institution bound by the broadest public interests. My decision to preserve two of the three days of Jewish religious holidays slated for removal is in the spirit of achieving a balance among legitimate contending concerns within the UB community.

THOMAS E. HEADRICK

Provost