California State University students will no longer have to chose between education and faith as a result of a new law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Oct. 8. AB 668 states that examinations may be approved for rescheduling if the testing date conflicts with the religious beliefs of the student.

Current law requires CSUs, when scheduling an examination, to provide an alternate testing time for the student whose exam date violates his or her religious beliefs, although the permission to reschedule an exam will not always be granted. 

According to the bill, if rescheduling the test will cause an “undue hardship” to the CSU which it cannot reasonably avoid, then the requirement to provide an alternative examination time will not apply.

The bill says that if the reasoning of a CSU not to reschedule a student’s test goes to court, “the burden of proof rests upon the institution,” and the school must provide evidence for the denial of the student’s rescheduling.

If the California community colleges start to offer exam rescheduling, De Anza student and hospitality major Andrew Song, 20, said, “Now, [with this law] I still wouldn’t miss an exam because, what’s the difference? I have to take it sooner or later.”

San Nguyen, 18, a physical therapy major, who has also skipped classes before to attend church feels differently. “I would miss an important test for church if it’s going to be excused.”

The bill does not describe which religions are accepted to be excused.