The University of Saskatchewan is committed to establishing and maintaining a learning environment that fosters equitable opportunities for academic success and personal development without discrimination or harassment based on religion or creed.

The institution's duty to accommodate, up to the point of undue hardship, is legislated by the Code and failure to provide reasonable accommodation under the Saskatchewan's Human Rights Code can be considered discriminatory. The process for determining reasonable accommodation is a collaborative process whereby the student and the institution must both engage in the accommodation process.

Considerations for instructors and staff

Remember to review the Academic Courses Policy on Class Delivery, Examinations, and Assessment of Student Learning when creating your syllabus.

According to this policy, "Students may also request special accommodation with regard to attendance, availability of study materials, and assessment requirements (including mid-term and final examinations) for religious reasons."

For example:

  1. Final exam conflicts: If a student approaches you regarding an exam conflict, advise them to apply for exam accommodations by registering with Access and Equity Services prior to the relevant exam accommodation deadlines. If they have registered with AES, they can speak with their AES advisor for more information.
  2. Exams and events outside of regular class times: Be mindful when scheduling exams or events outside of regular class times that students may need accommodation for prayer times/observations. For example: If you are scheduling a mandatory field trip for students outside of class times, this information should be included in the syllabus or communicated to the class as early as the event is scheduled.
  3. Serving food/drink: If your class is participating in an event where food/drink is being served, request that students send dietary restriction needs, such as halal or kosher options, and always offer non-alcoholic alternatives.
  4. Dress code: Students may adhere to a specific dress code as a tenant of their faith. If this may present an issue in your course, please contact AES to discuss.

Please note these examples are not exhaustive and faculty is encouraged to be open and consider alternative options when approached with a religious accommodation request. Instructors can contact AES@usask.ca for any questions.

Important dates

Instructors can consult the interfaith calendar for significant dates where they may see students requesting accommodation. The dates of some holidays are not static and may change yearly. Definitions of holidays can be found here.

The following dates outline holidays that may have significant work disruption for students. However, please, note:

  • Holidays that are officially recognized at the USask or occur during periods when the university is closed are not included.
  • This calendar may not be all encompassing and professors should be prepared to provide accommodations for dates not listed on this calendar.
2022 Holiday Faith Notes
July 9-10, 2022 Eid al-Adha Islam *May change according to lunar calendar
Sept 25-27, 2022 Rosh Hashana Jewish
Oct 4-5, 2022 Yom Kippur Jewish
Oct 9-16, 2022 Sukkot Jewish
Oct 16-18, 2022 Shemini Atzeret Jewish
Oct 17-18, 2022 Simchat Torah Jewish
Oct 26-27, 2022 Birth of Bahá'u'lláh Baha'i
Oct 24, 2022 Diwali Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain
Nov 8, 2022 Guru Nanak Gurpurb Sikh *Date changes every year
Dec 29, 2022 Guru Gobind Sing Parkash Divas Sikh *Date changes every year
2023 Holiday Faith Notes
Jan 7, 2023 Christmas Eastern Orthodox Christian
Jan 22, 2023 Chinese New Year Confucian, Taoist, Buddhist
Apr 5-13, 2023 Passover Jewish
Apr 13, 2023 Vaisakhi/Khala Diwas Sikh
Mar 22-Apr 21, 2023 Ramadan Islam Students will be fasting during daylight hours
*May change according to lunar calendar
Apr 21-22, 2023 Eid al-Fitr Islam *May change according to lunar calendar
May 25-27, 2023 Shavout Jewish

Duty to accommodate

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to establishing and maintaining a learning environment that fosters equitable opportunities for academic success and personal development without discrimination or harassment.

The University is committed to the provision of reasonable accommodation for students that experience barriers to their education based on a prohibited ground(s). Prohibited grounds are identified by the Saskatchewan's Human Rights Code (hereafter referred to as the "Code"). The duty to accommodate students who require accommodation under the Code is a legal requirement at all post-secondary institutions.

The institution's duty to accommodate, up to the point of undue hardship, is legislated by the Code and failure to provide reasonable accommodation under the Code can be considered discriminatory. The process for determining reasonable accommodation is a collaborative process whereby the student and the institution must both engage in the accommodation process.

USask has a responsibility to provide accommodations based on Religion or Creed. The prohibited ground of religion is defined by the Code, c S-24.2 as: "all aspects of religious observance and practice as well as beliefs". Creed is defined as "religious creed" (c S-24.2).