Religious Accommodation Deadlines and Resources
Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to respecting the religious beliefs and practices of all members of the university community and has a duty to provide accommodation based on creed (religion) under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
This obligation requires the university to work with students to provide reasonable accommodation when a student’s religious observance or spiritual belief creates a conflict with their academic schedule and results in the inability to meet the academic requirements of the course as presented in the course outline.
Students need to coordinate with their instructors and university staff to address accommodation requirements. The accommodation process for religious or spiritual observance is a shared responsibility and students are required to submit their accommodation requests by the deadlines outlined below.
Semester |
Deadlines |
---|---|
6-week courses |
Submit accommodation requests for term coursework within one week of the start of class, no later than January 12. |
12-week courses |
Submit accommodation requests for term coursework within two weeks of the start of class, no later than January 19. |
Final Exams |
One week after the final exam schedule is posted. |
Mid-Terms, Tests, Labs and Other Course Work
All accommodation requests for mid-terms, tests, labs or course work are to be directed to and addressed by the course instructor.
Process:
- Alert instructor of any scheduling conflicts at the start of term based on the request deadlines outlined above by submitting the religious accommodation form.
- If the requested absence occurs within the first week or two of the term or the dates are not known well in advance, alert instructor as soon as scheduling conflicts arise by completing the religious accommodation form, which should be submitted within one week of identifying such conflict.
Final Exams
All accommodation requests for final exams are directed to and addressed by the Faculty Petitions Committee for the Faculty of the course (i.e., not the student’s “home” Faculty).
Process:
- Per existing regulations, religious accommodation requests for final exams must be submitted within one week of the final exam schedule being posted through the religious accommodation form. The form will be automatically submitted to the relevant Petitions Committee.
For more information, please see the Accommodations for Religious Observances page, which includes some frequently asked questions.
Students registered with Accessible Learning who are (a) approved for a deferred final exam, test, midterm, or quiz as a religious accommodation and (b) wish to use their exam accommodations for the deferred assessment must contact Accessible Learning directly. Visit Using Your Accommodations for more information.
For additional support, please reach out to: