Religious Holidays
The release of the Climate Survey Report serves as a good occasion to remind the campus that in 1974, the University Senate adopted the following action:
“. . . that faculty members be urged to provide an opportunity for students to make up work missed as a result of legitimate absences, including observances of religious holidays.”

Consistent with the Senate action and our ambition to be a more welcoming and inclusive community, I urge all faculty members to provide students with an opportunity to make up work missed due to religious holidays. Since there are many cultures and faiths, University events cannot always be scheduled to avoid conflict with all holidays. Students should make their holiday needs known to faculty in advance, so professors can make arrangements for the appropriate accommodation. Further, I ask that when scheduling events, people check the calendar to avoid conflicts, if possible.

The list of religious holidays for the 2015–2016 academic year can be found at the Calendar link on the Provost’s Office web page.

Drake Social Club
Thanks to everyone who attended—more than 150 of you—the Drake Social on Thursday, making it, so I am being told, a big (and welcome) success. A shout out of thanks goes to Cherie Moen for managing it and making all the arrangements. Given the response, we are already looking for two more dates for this semester—stay tuned for future announcements.

Open Office Hours
If you are looking for me, this week you will find me on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 3–4:30 p.m. at Cowles Cafe.

—Submitted by Joe Lenz, Provost