By SHAWN P. O'LEARY
Forum Editor
 

Thursday was business as usual as far as the academic aspects of college were concerned. Yet a handful of professors cancelled class in observation of the holiday.

"I do not hold classes on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur because they are two of the most important Jewish holidays of the year," said Erica Rand, associate professor of art. "I think this should be a campus-wide standard in keeping with the campus-wide standard of not holding classes on days that Christians consider crucial, such as Christmas."

"In theory, this is a nondenominational institution," Rand said. "In practice, the school system is organized around Christmas."

Rand's comments raise questions as to how the college can, if it can at all, service each of the religious faiths represented at the College.

Eric Wollman, professor of Physics, who also canceled classes on Thursday in recognition of the holiday, had a slightly different take on the matter: "I don't know whether or not it should be a campus-wide standard. I am inclined to think not, as long as faculty accommodate students who miss class to attend services."

Wollman's sentiments were echoed by David Silverman '99 who said, "Its Bates's job to recognize that Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, along with the other high holidays, are important to the Jewish community; and to be respectful by not scheduling exams on these holidays or the day after; and [to] freely give dean's excuses to those students who want to be with their families."

"I think that most professors do not mind at all if we miss class to go to high holiday services, some even give extensions for papers and exams," said Leslie Broch '99. "Even though I was pretty sure my professors would be understanding about my absence, I decided to go only to evening services last night (Wednesday), and went to classes today." "Being in classes does not really let me reflect on the importance of these holidays," Broch said. "I'm not sure that if the school should cancel classes because of the relatively small percentage of practicing Jews and also because it does not seem right to honor only important Christian and Jewish holidays."

The administration and faculty of the college have addressed observance of religious holidays. "There has been discussion within the ad-hoc committee about the issue of whether other holidays should be observed as part of the calendar," said Dean of Students F. Celeste Branham. "It became a complex issue in trying to fairly observe the myriad of holidays of major religions represented in our community."

Elizabeth Tobin, professor of history, described the ad-hoc committee's work on the issue as being focused on religious holidays in general rather than upon any specific religion.

"The committee has discussed the idea of canceling on religious holidays. Not just Jewish holidays, but also other holidays from many other religions," said Tobin in reference to the ad-hoc committee. "It would be very difficult to cancel classes for even one major holiday for all religions. It would result in a lot of class days lost in what would already be a very short calendar."

In terms of official recognition of religious holidays on the part of the College, Tobin said, "We thought it would be better if the college would offer recognition of holidays through other means. Furthermore, the calendar committee is looking at finding an hour a week without classes scheduled for such purposes as religious observation."

Kerry Maloney, college chaplain, would not speak on the record as to whether or not she felt classes should be suspended on Rosh Hashana. But she did state that she felt sympathetic toward students who felt they should be.

Maloney also said that she realized that an attempt to accommodate all religious occasions could cause many logistical problems. Douglas Weber, associate chaplain and rabbi of Temple Shalom, could not be reached for comment because of the Rosh Hashana services.

The problems to be faced in trying to recognize each of the religious holidays and religions present on campus are many. Furthermore, not all students readily disclose their religious affiliations and practices.

Therefore students who did not reveal their religious faith upon entrance into the College run the risk of not having their respective holidays recognized.

In researching this piece, I found that everyone interviewed felt compassionate towards the desire of students of all faiths to be released from their academic obligations for the purposes of religious expression.

While there was disagreement about canceling classes in recognition of religious holidays, it became apparent that on the whole, faculty or administrators were not actively discouraging students from practicing their faiths.

The real question is whether or not academic obligations prevent students from practicing, despite good intentions.