Human Rights & Equity Office
Human Rights - Policy on Academic Considerations for Religious Obligations
Academic Consideration for Religious Obligations
The University acknowledges the pluralistic nature of the graduate and undergraduate
communities and that accommodation will be made to students who experience
a conflict between a religious obligation and scheduled tests, mid-term examinations,
final examinations, or requirements to attend classes and participate in laboratories.
The type of accommodation will vary depending on the nature, weight and timing
of the work for which accommodation is sought. Accordingly, the request for
alternative arrangements normally must be submitted to the instructor in charge
of the course within two weeks of the distribution of the course outline. A
student requiring accommodation may submit the request to the instructor directly
or through his/her program counsellor. The instructor has a responsibility
to provide reasonable alternative arrangements that do not put the student
at an academic disadvantage. In the case of a conflict with a final examination,
the instructor should reschedule the examination to another time during the
examination period taking care that the new date and time do not put the student
at an academic disadvantage.
In the event that a student is not satisfied with the accommodation offered by the instructor, he/she may appeal to the Department Chair who may grant alternative accommodation. A student who remains dissatisfied with the outcome of his/her request may seek the assistance of the Human Rights and Equity Office to facilitate a resolution.