Human Rights Services

The spirituality and cultural observances of Aboriginal Peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit, status and non-status) cannot be easily defined and are not reflected in the calendars. Aboriginal spiritual and cultural observances may include ceremonies that are connected to the seasons or to life stages.

Ryerson should make every effort to recognize and accommodate Aboriginal people in our community so they may fulfill their spiritual and cultural responsibilities.

A date on the list does not necessarily preclude scheduling a test or examination on that date, but does signal that there may be individuals in a class who may require accommodation. Instructors are encouraged to bear this in mind when preparing plans for their courses this year.

Instructions for handling requests for accommodation can be found on the second page of the request for accommodation of student religious, Aboriginal and spiritual observance form (PDF). Faculty are encouraged to work with students to reach an agreement on a reasonable means to address any missed work or exams.

Students can request an accommodation by completing a request for accommodation of student religious, Aboriginal and spiritual observance form (PDF) and submitting it to their course instructor as soon as possible. Additional instructions are provided on the request form. Students are encouraged to work with their instructors to reach an agreement on a reasonable means to address any missed work or exams.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and a reasonable compilation of dates, please contact Human Rights Services to advise of any errors or omissions of religious observances dates at 416-979-5349 or humanrights@ryerson.ca.

Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, people are entitled to be free from discrimination and harassment on a number of prohibited grounds, including religion. This right also incorporates the entitlement to have one's religious practices accommodated by providers of public services and facilities, such as universities.

Religious accommodation is the right to have time away from study to practice the tenets of one’s faith, as long as it does not cause the university undue hardship.

The obligation to accommodate is mandatory, not discretionary. Ryerson’s policy also outlines accommodation for spiritual and Aboriginal observances.

Undue hardship is determined on a case-by-case basis. Undue hardship is determined by considering the cost (relative to the overall budget of the university), outside sources of funding (if applicable), and health and safety requirements.

Generally speaking, to show undue hardship Ryerson would need to prove that accommodating a religious practice for a student would create onerous conditions.

Yes. The university must ensure that it accommodates religious, spiritual and Aboriginal observance but it is not a requirement under the Ontario Human Rights Code to accommodate cultural observance.

Students or instructors who require advice on cultural observance are invited to consult with Human Rights Services for further information at 416-979-5349 or humanrights@ryerson.ca.

The spirituality and cultural observances of Aboriginal Peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit, status and non-status) cannot be easily defined. They reflect a diverse collection of distinct cultures and belief systems that are both dynamic and evolving. 

In general, Aboriginal spiritual and cultural observances may include ceremonies that are connected to the seasons or to life stages (for example, birth, naming, coming of age, weddings, funerals, remembrances). For an Aboriginal person, participation in such ceremonies may be considered a profound personal responsibility that takes precedence over other social obligations. In order to fulfill this responsibility, the person may be required to travel long distances, participate in elaborate preparations, and/or consult with recognized cultural or spiritual leaders.

Ryerson and its faculty and staff should make every effort to recognize and accommodate Aboriginal people in the Ryerson community so that they are able to fulfill their spiritual and cultural responsibilities.

Observances may restrict participation in course activities, including:

• absence from class
• absence from scheduled exams
• absence from scheduled placement or clinical settings
• following specific dress codes
• temporary absence from class for daily prayers, fasting or breaking a fast while attending class
• other required activities outlined in the course syllabus

Accommodations should prevent academic disadvantage or penalty to students. Instructors are encouraged to consult with Human Rights Services for further information at 416-979-5349 or humanrights@ryerson.ca.

Requests for accommodation must be presented to the instructor no later than two weeks prior to the conflict in question. In the case of final examinations, this is within two weeks of the release of the examination schedule.

That being said, students are encouraged to notify instructors as soon as they become aware of a conflict, as timely requests will help prevent challenges to arranging accommodations.

Step one: Informal or formal request to instructor

Requests for accommodation of observance can be made informally or formally to the course instructor.

Informal requests can be made verbally through private discussion or through an email between the student and instructor.

Formal requests are made by submitting a request for accommodation of student religious, Aboriginal and spiritual observance (PDF) using the instructions on the form.

Instructors are required to respond in writing within five days of receiving the request.

Step two: Request to chair or director

If the request cannot be resolved with the instructor, students should consult with the chair or director of the department responsible for the course.

Students may also submit their formal request directly to their chair or director as the first step. In such cases, the chair or director will work with the instructor and the student to determine an accommodation.

Step three: Consultation with dean

If an accommodation cannot be reached through the chair, students have the right to consult with the dean of the faculty responsible for the course.

Step four: Contact Human Rights Services

If no accommodation is reached, the student can contact Human Rights Services at 416-979-5349 or humanrights@ryerson.ca.

No. Under the Ontario Human Rights Code and Ryerson’s Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy all instructors are required to accommodate religious needs, up to the point of undue hardship. Instructors cannot ignore obligations under human rights law.

Religious, Aboriginal and spiritual observances are often highly personal and subjective. They require that instructors accept the sincerely held beliefs of students at face value and accommodate through informal or formal procedures. With this in mind, those who practice Wicca are generally accommodated.

Yes. Some people, such as Orthodox Jews and Seventh Day Adventists, practice their religious faith by worshipping from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday. Therefore, they are required to be away from work and study during these times. These practices all trigger the duty to accommodate.

No. Christianity is a religion like any other, and the right to accommodation is similar to those in other faith communities.

Ryerson policy notes that “Religious, Aboriginal or spiritual observances are often highly personal and subjective. This requires that instructors accept the sincerely held beliefs of students at face value and accommodate and address issues, through informal or formal procedures detailed in this policy."

Members of a given faith who are more observant on some issues are not taking advantage of their religion, they simply experience or express their faith differently from other members of their faith.