The following is a message to the University community from Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps and Vice-President Equity, People & Culture Sheila Cote-Meek:
Dear colleagues,
Academic accommodation for Students' Religious Observances (Policy, Guidelines and Procedures) can be found at the York Secretariat Policies website.
The policy addresses York's commitment to sustaining an inclusive, equitable community in which all members are treated with respect and dignity and outlines the following guidelines/principles:
Guidelines/principles
- All students are expected to satisfy the essential learning outcomes of courses. Accommodations shall be consistent with, support and preserve the academic integrity of the curriculum and the academic standards of courses and programs.
- The University provides reasonable and appropriate accommodation for students whose religion or spiritual beliefs requires them to be absent from the University for the observance of recognized religious days of significance.
- A list of Commonly Observed Dates of Religious Significance are compiled concurrently with the establishment of the Sessional Dates for the upcoming academic year and disseminated to assist instructors in course planning.
- Normally the form of accommodation will be alternative dates for final examinations, and adjustment of dates for term work, mid-term examinations or other course components.
- The Registrar's Office takes into consideration the dates of religious significance in its establishment of the final examination schedule.
- Documentation from faith leaders is not required to support requests for accommodation.
To assist you, we provide the following list of Commonly Observed Dates of Religious Significance. It is meant as a guide to religious accommodations. This is not a comprehensive list of all holy days of observance and the absence of other dates on this list should not be interpreted to mean that accommodation will not be provided to students who observe the additional holy days associated with their faith or spiritual beliefs.
The guide has been compiled in consultation with York's student Interfaith Council to ensure it is inclusive for York's student body. You can also consult the Interfaith Calendar (not maintained by York).
Event planners and faculty members are encouraged to take these days into consideration when scheduling events.
Additional information for students, faculty and staff on religious accommodation can be found on the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion website.
You can also read more information on statutory dates in the academic year.
Sincerely,
Lisa Philipps
Provost & Vice-President Academic
Sheila Cote-Meek
Vice President Equity, People & Culture
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.
