1. Religious Accommodation
  2. Religious Accommodations

Religious Accommodations

Under the , rescheduling exams and alternative assignments for religious observance are considered "reasonable accommodations." Queen’s University, like all publicly funded institutions, has a duty under the Ontario Human Rights Code to provide accommodation for students, staff, and faculty where their religious observances create a conflict with their work or study schedule. Additionally, the school calendar should not be seen to favour a particular religion.

Please refer to the for all of this year's faith dates.

 

How to request Religious Observance Accommodations for Academics

 

Mid-terms, Quizzes, and Assignments

Approaches about requesting Religious Observance Accommodations vary based on your faculty and professor. This applies to any deadlines or tests which are not final exams. Please check your course syllabus for information about requesting accommodations. If you can't find the information there, the following will generally apply:

General Rule: Students should reach out to their professor within a week of receiving their syllabus if they require accommodations for their religious observances. If you have missed this deadline, contact your professor as soon as possible. This applies to all faculties except the three outlined below.

Faculty of Education: Education students must contact the office as soon as possible. If a religious observance occurs during a practicum placement, the student must submit their request to the Practicum Manager at practicum.office@queensu.ca. If granted, the student will be directed to inform their Associate Teacher, Principal, and Faculty Liaison of their absence. In some situations, this may result in additional practicum days being required.

Smith Engineering: Engineering students must use to submit their requests for accommodations for their religious observances.

Smith School of Business: Approaches vary depending on accommodation type.

  • Quizes or Tests: Business students must email their instructor no later than two weeks prior to the quiz/test date.
  • Core Commerce Midterm: Business students must email commerce.aacc@queensu.ca no later than the Wednesday before midterm week.
  • Elective Midterm: Business students must email their instructor no later than two weeks prior to the midterm date.

If you have any issues or questions, contact our office at chaplain@queensu.ca

 

Exams (end-of-term)

There is a firm deadline for exam accommodation requests, which are:

  • November 15 for Fall exams (December)
  • March 15 for Winter exams (April)

If you require a religious accommodation for exams, the Exams Office (Gordon Hall, Room 110) or exams@queensu.ca can provide you with the Exam Conflict Form.

Exams will not be re-scheduled to a date of your choosing. The exam will be re-scheduled at the earliest possible date, following the original scheduled exam, agreeable to the University exams office in consultation with Faith and Spiritual Life. Rescheduled exams cannot be held earlier than the original schedule date unless the observance falls on the last day of exams. Exam rescheduling is not intended to create unnecessary hardship or inequality for students.

Please see the Office of the University Registrar's website for more information.