ACCOMMODATION OF STUDENT RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE OBLIGATIONS
Introduction
Modern organizations like Ryerson are diverse and complex entities which value diversity. As a publicly-funded institution operating with limited resources, Ryerson must use its space, facilities and equipment to the maximum extent possible to meet community needs. Increasingly, this means that facilities are used throughout the day and evening, seven days a week. It is the policy of this University to accommodate the sincerely held religious beliefs of all students. Since religious observance commitments are highly individualized in that they might involve the same time every day of the week, the same day each week, or fall on specific days during the year, it is possible that Ryerson students will have religious observance commitments which preclude them from participating in required course activities. While Ryerson respects the religious observance obligations of its students, the University may not be able to avoid scheduling activities which conflict with such observances. The University recognizes that there will be situations where a student’s religious observance commitments may require an absence from the Ryerson campus or his/her Ryerson activities. These absences may interfere with a student’s academic obligations.
Academic Obligations of Students Address by Policy
By joining a degree, diploma or certificate program (or individual course) at Ryerson, a student assumes a series of academic obligations. Course-specific obligations (including evaluation arrangements) are described in detail in the course outlines which are required to be distributed to students at the start of a course. Course outlines may include the following academic requirements (among others):
in-class quizzes
laboratory sessions
laboratory reports
laboratory assignments
mid-term tests
term papers, essays or other materials to be submitted during the term
take home tests
formally scheduled final examinations
Ryerson recognizes that a student’s religious observance may require an absence from a required course activity. This policy provides a mechanism to address student religious observance requirements as they relate to course requirements.
Formally Scheduled Final Examinations
Due to final exam period time constraints, Ryerson finds it necessary to schedule final exams on Saturdays. Students with religious observance obligations on Saturday, who find they have a Saturday exam scheduled, should utilize the policy to make alternative arrangements.
Accommodation of Student Religious Observance
Students and faculty have the option to address observance issues informally, but have the option of invoking the more formal process described below. The “Student Declaration of Religious Observance” form is available on the Registrar’s Office website (
www.ryerson.ca/rows) which is linked to Religious Observance websites, providing students and faculty with a comprehensive description of some observance obligations.
At the start of each term, students who have religious observance obligations which will lead to absences from campus or academic activities during the semester would determine whether to handle the issue informally or through the new formal process. Faculty shall accept at face value the sincerity of student’s religious beliefs. If the new formal process is selected, the student will download the form from the website and complete it, outlining those instances where a religious observance issue applies. A copy of the form should then be presented to professors in each of the student’s courses within the first two weeks of classes. If the required observance occurs within the first two weeks of classes or the dates are not known well in advance as they are linked to other conditions, this form should be submitted as soon as possible in advance of the required absence. The form will serve as the student’s formal application required for accommodation. The professor and the student will then consult to reach agreement on a reasonable means to address the situation. When making alternative arrangements like rescheduling an examination or mid-term, the professor must ensure that the academic obligation can be met as expeditiously as possible before the end of the term and is conducted in a suitable environment.
Professors have until the end of the fourth week of classes to confirm an arrangement which addresses the student request. In cases where a mutually agreed upon accommodation cannot be made, or where the student’s request has not been addressed by the fourth week of classes, the student may bring the matter to the Chair of the School/Department (for Continuing Education this would be the relevant Continuing Education Program Director) within five working days after consulting with the professor, and/or no later than the fifth week of classes. If the matter remains unresolved, the student should consult with the Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Officer.
