Policy for Students on the Accommodation of Religious observances (PRVPA-1)

Introduction

Concordia University welcomes diversity and places a high value on inclusion and respect for differences. When accommodations are required for religious observances and holidays, instructors and students are encouraged to work together to find reasonable accommodations that will support the student’s advancement, without unreasonably interfering with academic requirements.

Policy overview

In order to respect diversity and comply with the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, this policy outlines how accommodations are made for religious observances. It details various processes and conditions that must be followed when submitting requests related to religious observances.

FAQ - to be read alongside the Policy for Students on the Accommodation of Religious Observances.

If Concordia is a secular university, why do we recognize religious holidays?

Concordia is a secular institution that values inclusion, respect, and diversity. That means recognizing and supporting students who observe religious or faith traditions — even when those observances conflict with an academic requirement. Furthermore, the law requires the University to accommodate Religious Observances.

What are the general principles that students and instructors should keep in mind when making and responding to requests to accommodate Religious Observances?

Students must be aware of specific instructions in their course outlines, such as advance notification regarding missing classes.
Requests should be made and received in good faith, with respect for both parties
They should work collaboratively to find a solution
Students should respect the applicable deadlines
Instructors should reply to requests in a timely manner

What other offices can I reach out to for support or advice about accommodations for Religious Observances?

Concordia has several resources at your disposal:

What is meant by “accommodation” and how should it be provided?

The accommodation of a Religious Observance is determined by the Instructor. There may be different accommodation options available depending on the academic requirement, such as rescheduling, providing the student the opportunity to do another evaluative exercise, or, in some cases, re-distributing the weight of graded exercises. The Instructor is best placed to determine the appropriate accommodation for the purposes of the course and must also ensure that the alternative does not result in academic disadvantage for the student or undue burden on the Instructor.

When and how should I request accommodation for a Religious Observance?

Students should verify the course outline for specific requirements. In absence of any such requirement, Students must inform their Instructor in writing, in order to explore possible accommodation(s), no later than one week following the date of the first day of classes of the academic term, as identified in the applicable University Calendar.

My midterm is outside regular class time and conflicts with my usual time of worship/prayer. What can I do?

If an academic requirement takes place outside regular class time, such as a midterm conflict with your usual time for worship/prayer, you may request accommodation for a Religious Observance. You must inform your Instructor in writing, in order to explore possible accommodation(s), no later than one week following the announcement of the date of your midterm (or follow the instructions in the Course Outline if applicable).

What if I need to report a conflict due to a Religious Observance during the final exam period?

The procedure for reporting a conflict concerning a centrally supervised final examination is different than reporting a conflict to your Instructor. The Examinations Office describes the procedure here. Please note that conflicts with centrally supervised final examinations must be reported before the deadline, which can be found here. Possible solutions to conflicts between Religious Observances and centrally supervised final examinations are listed in the University Calendar and on the exam conflicts page.

What if one of my students reports a conflict for a midterm exam that is scheduled in a multi-section course when midterms take place outside of the course meetings?

Every effort should be made to accommodate the request. Instructors can discuss options with their chairs.

What if a student misses the deadline to tell their instructor about the need for accommodation for a Religious Observance?

Students must inform their instructor in writing, in order to explore possible accommodation(s), no later than one week following the date of the first day of classes of the academic term, as identified in the applicable University Calendar. If the deadline has been missed, try reaching out to your instructor as soon as possible. Instructors may consider requests made after the deadline in exceptional circumstances. However, if a late request is denied by the instructor, there is no further recourse.

A student informed me after the deadline that they could not attend an in-class examination due to a Religious Observance. Am I obliged to accommodate this request?

You are not obliged to consider requests after the deadline. However, where possible, exceptional circumstances may be heard and considered. You may want to accommodate a student for compassionate reasons.

What counts as an “exceptional circumstance” for a late accommodation request?

These requests are handled case by case. Examples may include, but are not limited to:

Religious Observances that fall on rescheduled test dates or on dates that were not listed in the syllabus. If the date of an academic requirement is not announced or scheduled in the syllabus, or if the date of an academic requirement changes, the student may make a request no later than one week after the announcement of the new date.
If a student registered for the course after the DNE deadline.
Student or instructor illness or valid absence prior to the DNE deadline.

If an instructor can easily arrange accommodations for a late request, they may, at their discretion, accept requests after the deadline, even if no exceptional circumstances exist.

What if the instructor and student cannot reach an agreement on the accommodation for a Religious Observance?

If an agreement cannot be reached, either the student or the instructor can approach the department chair. If needed, the faculty’s associate dean may also get involved. Together, they’ll review the situation and make a decision that balances the academic requirement with the circumstances — aiming to be fair without putting the student at an unreasonable disadvantage.

Who can I talk to if we can’t find a solution after meeting with the department chair or associate dean, or if I think a decision was unfair?

You can contact the Ombuds Office for confidential and impartial guidance. They are here to help students navigate policies and resolve concerns.

Does the requirement to accommodate these requests have limits? What is meant by undue hardship?

Every effort should be made to accommodate a request. However, if accommodating a specific request would cause undue hardship, the University is not required to fulfill that request.

Undue hardship is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Generally, the University must demonstrate that accommodating a religious belief, observance, or practice would impose excessively burdensome conditions. Relevant factors in determining undue hardship may include, but are not limited to:

Disruption to the workplace, collective agreements, or the learning and teaching environment;
The effect of the accommodation on the rights or morale of other employees or students;
The resources required, both in terms of time and financial cost, to offer the proposed accommodation; and
The University's other legal obligations.

Where can I get more information about Religious Observances and related dates?

For questions about Religious Observances and the days when they take place, please reach out to the Multi-faith and Spirituality Centre.

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