Religious or Spiritual Observance Policy

AC-SSN-POL-007 Religious or Spiritual Observance Policy
Department	Academic
Creation Date	March 15, 2018
Approval Date	August 3, 2023
Effective Date	September 5, 2023

Organizational Scope

The Policy applies to all full-time and part-time students enrolled in programs* offered in The Michener Institute of Education at UHN (“Michener”).

*Students in joint programs must refer to their program handbook.

Purpose

A student may request to observe religious or spiritual days other than those already accommodated by ordinary scheduling and statutory holidays.

Policy

It is the policy of The Michener Institute to arrange reasonable accommodation of the needs of students who observe religious or spiritual days other than those already accommodated by ordinary scheduling and statutory holidays.

• This policy deals exclusively with academic requirements including, but not limited to, lectures, labs, tests, assignments, clinical practicum, simulations and final examinations. Observance may restrict participation in course activities, including but not limited to:
  • Absence from class
  • Absence from scheduled exams
  • Absence from scheduled clinical placement
  • Temporary absence from class for daily prayers, fasting or breaking fast during class

If a didactic student is requesting accommodation due to a religious or spiritual observance, the student must submit a Request for Religious or Spiritual Accommodation Form within the first two weeks of each semester or, for a final examination, within two weeks of the posting of the examination schedule. If the required absence occurs within the first two weeks of each semester or if the dates are not known well in advance, this form should be submitted with as much lead time as possible in advance of the required absence. The Request for Religious or Spiritual Accommodation Form must be submitted annually.

Faculty will make every reasonable effort wherever possible to avoid scheduling tests, examinations, assessments and other compulsory activities for such students at these times. If compulsory activities are unavoidable, the student is responsible for acquiring the information that they missed, particularly courses involving laboratory work. When the scheduling of tests, exams or assessments cannot be avoided, students should be informed of the procedure to be assessed at an alternate time.

If a clinical student is requesting accommodation due to a religious or spiritual observance, the student must advise their Clinical Coordinator upon confirmation of clinical placement. While students will not be penalized because of religious or spiritual observance, Michener cannot ask clinical sites to reschedule patient procedures or shifts for students. The Clinical Coordinator may request a student to make-up that time.

It is important that no student be seriously disadvantaged because of their religious observances. However, in the scheduling of academic and other activities, it is also important to ensure that the accommodation of one group does not seriously disadvantage other groups within the Michener community.

In accordance with the Human Rights Code, letters or documentation from Faith Leaders to support requests for religious or spiritual accommodation are not required.

Process

The student is to fill out the Religious or Spiritual Observance Form and submit to the PCL. The PCL will then notify the faculty for appropriate accommodation.

Associated Documentation

• Religious or Spiritual Observance Form
• Accessibility & Accommodation Policy
• Exam/Test Accommodation Request Form

Revision History