College president: Why we changed the uniform rules to allow a cadet to wear a hijab or yarmulke

Norwich University (Photo courtesy of the university)

Norwich University (Courtesy of the university)

When a Muslim student asked for an exception to the required uniform at the Citadel, the public military college that had accepted her, it provoked a strong response: Some alumni and others found the idea anathema to the defining principles of unity, uniformity and Corps before self; others thought it would send a message that all faiths were welcome and that the storied institution was not so bound to tradition that it could not evolve with a more diverse society.

[The Citadel considers an exception to its historic uniform: A Muslim hijab ^[1]]

The Citadel denied Sana Hamze's request.

[The Citadel will not allow an exception to the uniform to allow a Muslim student to wear her hijab ^[2]]

But a private military college in Vermont, Norwich University, granted it.

[Student whose request for a religious accommodation was denied by The Citadel says she will attend Norwich University ^[3]]

On Friday, Richard Schneider, the president of Norwich, explained the decision in detail in a letter to Norwich trustees, alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends of the university:

As you are aware, Norwich University received a letter requesting religious accommodations with respect to the Norwich University Corps of Cadets uniform from a female student accepted into the Corps of Cadets and the Class of 2020.

Her request to the Commandant of the Corps of Cadets specifically addressed a religious accommodation to observe the hijab, a broad term that defines modest dress by Muslim women. She requested the university's permission to wear religious head covering to cover her hair and neck at all times in uniform, and for uniform accommodations that would enable the covering of her arms and legs.

Norwich University granted the student's request for religious accommodations respective to the Corps of Cadets uniform and will amend the Corps of Cadets Standard Operating Procedures to permit her observation of the hijab. The student has been advised that the religious headgear, in authorized colors and fabrics, must be of a style and size that can be covered by standard issue Corps of Cadets headgear and that she may wear Norwich-issued long-sleeve shirts and pants. This student has acknowledged receipt of our correspondence granting the religious accommodation and has confirmed her intent to enroll as a freshman student in the Corps this upcoming fall semester.

[A military college granted a Muslim student's request to wear hijab with her uniform, covering her head in keeping with her faith ^[4]]

Norwich is not the first senior military college to grant such a religious accommodation respective to a uniform nor is this the first instance of such an accommodation. The Corps of Cadets Standard Operating Procedures will also be formally amended to permit the observation of the kippah, or as it is more commonly referred to as the yarmulke, a brimless cap, usually made of cloth, worn by Jews. An accommodation to permit the kippah or yarmulke to be worn by one NUCC cadet had been made previously under the cadet's cover (hat) absent of an amendment to the NUCC rules and regulations.

This decision received the full, unanimous support of the Norwich University Board of Trustees, two-thirds of whom are alumni and six are general officers.

This decision was not a unilateral action nor uninformed. As President, I, and the senior leadership, consulted widely and contacted all the Federal Service Academies, the five Senior Military Colleges (SMCs) and all three Commanding Generals of the ROTC branches – Army, Air Force and Naval/Marines.

In our fact-finding discussions, we learned that Texas A&M University, one of the six Senior Military Colleges, had already approved a religious accommodation for a Muslim female cadet to wear a hijab without incident. And, although not a SMC, Virginia Women's Institute of Leadership at Mary Baldwin College approved a female cadet's request to wear a hijab two years ago without incident. As reported in the media, the Citadel denied such a request to wear a hijab.

["I can't imagine taking the hijab off for any reason." A cadet writes about why her uniform is different.^[5]]

No request has yet been made to the Federal Service Academies, but they would be governed by the same Department of Defense (DOD) instruction that would be applicable for ROTC.

It is important to note that we have no comment respective to decisions made on any other institution's religious accommodation to the cadet uniform.

The DOD issued new instruction governing religious accommodation guidance and has approved requests for religious accommodations including wearing beards and turbans. The United States Army currently has four such officers wearing beards and turbans and is approving additional requests. Our newly commissioned officers will be leading their units under this new DOD religious accommodation guidance.

Last week, the Army ROTC program approved a male student at Fordham to wear a beard and turban. The Commanding General of Army ROTC encouraged me to approve the student's request because of the real need for more Muslim commissioned officers in our military to serve in intelligence, be interpreters, and operate in the field. While we are not a federal entity, we have looked to the Army as our standard and it is very clear they have changed their policies.

This was a very complex legal, moral and ethical issue that is governed by Vermont statutes and general admissions best practices.

We explored allowing the admitted student to become a civilian student and as such would have had to grant a waiver for her to take ROTC courses and become commissioned. More importantly, permitting this religious accommodation is directly aligned with fulfilling our mission of preparing our students to be leaders of a much more diverse workforce in the military or civilian world than many of us have had the privilege to lead.

The decision to grant this religious accommodation has garnered significant media attention. And while not all agree with our decision, I have received strong and favorable support from Norwich University alumni on active duty as well as dozens of our graduates serving as leaders in government and the private sector. Further many of those who initially disagreed with the decision, when informed of the background research and consultations, and the DOD's instruction to grant religious accommodation, have modified their thinking and conveyed their support.

I am often inspired by the courage and energy of the young people who graduate from our near 200-year-old institution. As our founder Captain Alden Partridge envisioned, Norwich produces enlightened, well-rounded citizens who make the world a better place. It is my hope that this particular student – and all our students – will see the benefits of what we offer and become a leader who will welcome and respect diversity and be inclusive of all people.

The new regulations to the NUCC uniform policy will specify the proper wearing and color of the hijab and kippah or yarmulke to allow students to participate as full members of the Corps. No other Corps standards will be altered or changed. The Corps of Cadets places a high value on the rights of its cadets to observe tenets of their respective religions or to observe no religion at all. Regardless of their spiritual or religious affiliation, all students and employees should feel welcome and comfortable at Norwich University. A dynamic world requires change as evidenced by the adjustments that were made in 1974 with the admission of women into the Corps.

I hope this helps you understand the decision better. Like our trustees, I believe this decision will make us a stronger university.

Norwich Forever!

Richard W. Schneider
RADM, USCGR (Ret.)
President