Religion is a tricky business at UF.
After several conflicts in the past, Tamara Cohen, director of Multicultural and Diversity Affairs, produced a calendar for the 2008-2009 academic year highlighting important holidays for all faiths.
The calendar, which can be found on UF's Web site, was made specifically to help professors make their schedules with religious diversity in mind.
"We're here to help students, but part of helping students is helping faculty and staff," Cohen said.
The calendar also serves as a reference tool for professors when students attempt to work out discrepancies ahead of time.
"Instructors are supposed to work with students, but every year we always run into conflicts," Cohen said.
A UF commencement ceremony was once scheduled during the Jewish holiday of Passover, which caused a problem for several students and their parents, she said.
Many students who practice other faiths besides Christianity must choose between worship and education when there are calendar conflicts.
"There are going to be times when you have to make sacrifices," Cohen said.
Mandy Kageff, a UF public relations senior, has had to work with professors for the Jewish holidays that cause problems with her class schedule every year.
"I understand that everybody cannot accommodate everybody," Kageff said. "But it would be nice if professors worked to not have exams on minority religions' holidays."
