Policy on Religious Observances

No student shall be refused admission to or be expelled from The Cooper Union solely because they are unable to participate in any examination, study or work requirement because of religious observances and practices. It is the intent of The Cooper Union to reasonably accommodate individual student and faculty religious obligations and practices without penalty, based on good faith effort and due notice to those relevantly concerned of the anticipated religious observance date. There is a mutual obligation of students and faculty to provide prior notice to each other of anticipated absences. Students absent because of religious observances and practices will be given the opportunity to make up any examination, study or work requirement missed without penalty.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.