Need an accommodation under the Religious, Indigenous and Spiritual Observances (RISO) process? Here’s how it works
If a religious, Indigenous or spiritual observance (such as an important practice, event or time) conflicts with your course requirements, you can request an academic accommodation.
We’re here to support you with clear and flexible options.
What is RISO?
RISO is McMaster’s policy that supports students when religious, Indigenous, or spiritual observances conflict with course requirements which may include exams, tests, labs, assignments, participation, or seminars.
- For courses, alternative arrangements may be considered to support students in completing their academic work while meeting course requirements.
- For exams, rescheduled examinations take place after, not before, the original examination time and are scheduled at the next available timeslot following the religious observance.
The RISO policy aligns with the Ontario Human Rights Code and ensures processes are fair, accessible, and supportive.
Who this policy applies to
The RISO policy applies to all students taking courses at McMaster, across all Faculties and Programs (including Graduate Studies, the Arts & Science Program, and McMaster Continuing Education).
This website focuses on how the RISO process works for undergraduate students taking courses across all McMaster Faculties and the Arts & Science Program. Students in Graduate Studies or McMaster Continuing Education should contact their relevant office or instructor to understand how the RISO policy is applied in their area, as processes may vary and may not use a standard form.
Ceremonial Practices for Indigenous students are encouraged to contact Indigenous Student Services (indigssa@mcmaster.ca) for guidance and support.
Types of observances considered under RISO
RISO considers observances such as:
- A commemoration (e.g., sacred or significant days, remembrance days or anniversaries that are important to your religious, Indigenous, or spiritual tradition)
- A tradition (e.g., daily prayers, regular spiritual or reflective practices or cultural-spiritual practices that are part of a faith or tradition)
- An event of religious, Indigenous or spiritual significance (e.g., ceremonies, sacred celebrations, festivals or gatherings of importance to your beliefs or community)
Observances may be one-time events or ongoing practices, and can include time needed for preparation, reasonable travel or participation — including observances that take place during class time, such as briefly leaving class or taking a short break to observe a practice.
If you’re unsure where to start, you can connect with your instructor, contact your Faculty, Program or Exams Office, or check out the support tab on this page.
What’s not included in the RISO policy?
The RISO policy applies to academic course requirements only. This includes things like exams, tests, labs, assignments, presentations, participation or seminars that are part of a course.
It does not cover:
- General course or program requirements (e.g., attendance rules that apply to all students, degree or program requirements, or expectations that are not linked to a specific exam, assignment or class session)
- Co‑op, clinical or other experiential placements (including placements with external partners or professional requirements)
- Residence or athletics
- Employment matters (including teaching assistant, research assistant or other student employment roles)
- Dietary restrictions or ablution
- Access to space or use of space
If your situation falls outside this policy, support may still be available. You can contact the office that best fits your situation, such as your Faculty or Program Office, the Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO) or Human Resources.
If your situation connects to more than one office, that’s okay. You don’t need to have it all figured out — these offices can help guide you to the right supports or connect you with one another.
When do I need to submit a RISO request?
A RISO request may be appropriate when a time‑sensitive observance:
- Takes more than a brief break or
- Affects attendance, participation or an academic requirement (such as a class, lab, test, assignment or final exam)
For courses:
- Students are encouraged to submit a RISO accommodation request and connect with their instructor early in the term to discuss appropriate arrangements. As a general guideline, submitting your request within the first 10 days of the term, where possible, can help with planning and timely support.
- For more support, visit the Course Accommodations tab on this page.
For final exams:
- Submit the form as soon as possible and by the deadline (at least 10 working days before the start of the final exam period).
- Note: The Office of the Registrar only processes RISO requests for fall and winter final exams. For midterms, tests, and spring/summer exams, students should contact their instructor and, if needed, their Faculty or Program Office.
- For more support, visit the Final Exam Accommodations tab on this page.
Not sure if you need a RISO? If your observance takes more than 10 minutes or affects attendance, participation or coursework, a RISO request is usually the right action to take.
Some in-class observances, such as briefly leaving class for prayer or taking a brief prayer/spiritual break during a class or exam for normally 5–10 minutes, may not require a formal RISO request.
Classes
For classes, students are encouraged to talk with their instructor in advance to share their needs and agree on an arrangement that works for everyone. If you’d prefer support with this conversation, or are unsure how to approach it, you can contact your Faculty/Program Office or check out the support tab on this page.
Exams
For exams, students who need a brief prayer/spiritual break can raise their hand and inform the invigilator. Students will be asked to sign out when leaving the exam room and sign back in when they return. In most cases, prayer/observances take place in a nearby hallway. When possible, and if space is available, an invigilator may escort the student to an empty room close to the exam space.
Students may wonder whether leaving for prayer or an observance will affect their exam time. No additional time will be added for short breaks.
If you have concerns about timing, you are encouraged to contact your Faculty/Program Office or the Office of the Registrar as early as possible to ask questions and understand what to expect. Planning ahead, where possible, can help reduce stress on the day of the exam.
What this means
Some observances are time‑sensitive and are expected to be observed within a specific timeframe. These observances may require more time than a short break and, in some cases, may be recurring.
One example is Friday congregational prayer (Jummah) observed by Muslim students. Jummah takes place around midday and typically includes time for the prayer itself as well as travel to and from the prayer space. This may require up to about an hour away from class and can occur weekly. This guidance may also apply to other religious or spiritual practices that are time‑bound and cannot be easily moved.
When courses overlap with time‑sensitive observances that occur regularly (for example, weekly), students may need to request recurring academic accommodations, often by submitting a request for each affected occurrence. Planning ahead and connecting with your instructor early can help reduce repetition and support your well-being and equitable access to learning. Supporting time‑sensitive religious observances is a shared responsibility between students, instructors and the University.
Some religious, Indigenous, or spiritual observances may require you to be away from classes or other course activities for a full day or for several days in a row. This may include lectures, labs, tutorials, seminars or other required academic activities. In these situations, a RISO accommodation request is required.
Regardless of how long you may need to be away, students remain responsible for completing course content and academic activities. This may involve making up missed work before, during or after the time away, depending on the course, learning environment and how the course is taught.
In some cases, alternative arrangements may be put in place. In other cases, the course may already offer enough flexibility that no additional changes are needed. This may involve completing the same academic work or adjustments to timing or format. In all cases, students are expected to complete required academic work to pass the course and meet degree requirements.
Plan your schedule around your observances (using Mosaic)
If you have flexibility in choosing a section for seminars, lectures or labs, you may wish to:
- Use Mosaic to explore class, lecture, seminar or lab times that do not overlap with your observance time. Instructions are available on the Office of the Registrar website.
- Build a schedule that best supports both your observance and academic success.
In some cases, planning ahead can help you avoid conflicts with your observance(s) and reduce the need for a RISO request.
If scheduling conflicts can’t be avoided
We recognize that scheduling options are not always flexible — particularly for required courses. When conflicts can’t be avoided, RISO accommodations and early communication are important.
Students who have concerns about how observances may affect their class or exam experience (for example, timing during exams) are encouraged to contact their Faculty/Program Office as early as possible to ask questions and understand what arrangements may be possible.
You may wish to discuss this with others outside of your Faculty or Program. Check out the support tab on this page.
Approaches that you and your instructor could explore (where possible)
Depending on the course and instructional context, instructors may wish to consider:
- Covering essential content earlier in the class period on affected days.
- Providing lecture recordings, slides, notes or summaries so students can review missed material or makeup any content/activities after class.
- For labs or placements, where sessions cannot be moved, considering flexibility with breaks or helping students identify alternate lab sections when available.
These are examples, not requirements, and approaches will vary depending on the course.
What do alternative arrangements include?
Alternative arrangements are changes to academic work that help you meet course requirements when an observance conflicts with them. These may include:
- Rescheduling an academic requirement (e.g., moving a test or quiz to a different time)
- Providing an alternative academic requirement (e.g., an alternative assignment or test)
- Adjusting how grades are weighted, within fair limits (no single assignment or test will be worth 75% or more of your final grade)
- Extending a deadline
Instructors are responsible for providing alternative arrangements that follow the RISO policy. Where possible, they will work with students to discuss options and decide what works best.
Alternative arrangements that are usually avoided
Some arrangements are generally discouraged and would only be considered after discussion with the student (and, in some cases, the Chair of the department). These include:
- Asking a student to submit work/a course requirement earlier than the original deadline
- Asking the student to ask someone else to submit work on their behalf
- Changing grading so that one assignment or test is worth 75% or more of the final grade
These options are avoided whenever possible.
Alternative arrangements focus on changes to academic requirements. Students remain responsible for catching up on missed course content — check out the course accommodations tab on this page for more information.
- Your information is kept confidential
- It is shared only with your Faculty/Program Office, instructor(s) and the Office of the Registrar to support the accommodation process
- It is not shared with anyone else without your consent
- You can request to have information about your observance removed from your file after you have completed your degree requirements and are cleared to graduate. To make this request, contact your Faculty or Program Office, who can guide you through the process.
Knowing your rights and choices under RISO
You don’t have to choose between your observances and academic responsibilities. Your beliefs matter, and the University will work with you to discuss options and agree on reasonable academic accommodations. RISO provides flexibility around timing and format, not an exemption from course learning. Students are expected to remain engaged and complete course requirements, with support where needed.
You can self-declare your observances
In most cases, documentation is not required. Students can self-declare their observance needs.
Respect for all beliefs
Even within the same religion or tradition, people may observe in different ways — and that’s respected.
No unfair academic disadvantage
Using RISO accommodations will not negatively affect your grades or participation marks as a result of the accommodation.
You are still expected to complete your academic work, and your work (including exams) will be evaluated based on demonstrated learning and course requirements.
If you miss a class because of an accommodation
If you miss a class due to an approved accommodation, you’re responsible for catching up on notes, readings and other course materials.
You can ask for other supports, too
Using RISO doesn’t prevent you from requesting other accommodations, including disability‑related supports.
You can submit more than one RISO request
While you are at McMaster, you may submit RISO requests as needed, and each will be given full consideration.
If you are registered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
You can choose to identify this on the RISO form and a copy can be shared with SAS to help coordinate your accommodations.
Support for Indigenous students
Indigenous Rights and Support: You have the right to access culturally appropriate support through Indigenous Student Services (indigssa@mcmaster.ca).
How to request an accommodation for a final exam
Important: Which exams are handled by the Office of the Registrar?
The Office of the Registrar processes RISO accommodation requests for fall and winter final exams only as well as deferred exams in February, June and October.
For midterms, tests, and spring/summer exams, RISO requests are not handled by the Office of the Registrar. Instead, contact your instructor, and if needed, your Faculty or Program Office for support.
Use this section if your religious, Indigenous, or spiritual observance affects a Registrar‑invigilated final exam.
Get the RISO final exam form
Go to the Office of the Registrar website: Service Request Forms, then select “Final Exam Accommodations for Religious, Indigenous and Spiritual Observances Form” near the bottom of the page. Download and complete the form.
Submit the form on time
Submit the completed RISO form through Mosaic by creating a new Service Request (Student Centre → My Academics → Service Requests → View my Service Requests → Create New Request). More instructions on how to submit a service request are located on the Office of the Registrar’s website.
Office of the Registrar review
Once your form is submitted, the Office of the Registrar will review your request. You will normally be notified of your rescheduled exam at least 5 working days before the start of the exam period by the Office of the Registrar.
If you have any concerns about your rescheduled exam, please contact the Office of the Registrar as soon as you can.
How to request an accommodation for courses
Complete and submit the RISO form
- Fill out the RISO form for your Faculty/Program as soon as you can.
- Submit the form to your Faculty/Program Office electronically or in person, depending on your Faculty’s/Program’s process.
- This is usually done within the first 10 days of the semester.
You and your instructor will receive confirmation
Once your Faculty/Program Office receives your completed RISO form:
- You will receive a confirmation receipt from the Faculty/Program Office, usually within 5 working days of receiving the RISO form (working days means Monday to Friday, excluding University holidays).
- In some cases, the Faculty/Program Office may contact you to discuss your request or help develop an accommodation plan.
Connect with your instructor(s) and confirm alternative arrangements
After receiving a confirmation of receipt, from your Faculty/Program Office:
- Contact your instructor(s) as soon as possible to discuss and confirm alternative arrangements (for example, a different time or format) and it must be done at least 5 working days before the date of the conflict. As a general guideline, reaching out early — ideally a few days before the next related course activity when feasible — helps clarify expectations and avoid last‑minute stress. For example, if you have an assignment due on Friday, October 17, you should contact your instructor by Friday, October 10 (five working days before, excluding weekends).
- Your instructor is required to respond and confirm alternative arrangements within 10 working days of you reaching out.
Catching up after a missed class can look different depending on the course
For example:
- Missing a lecture: reviewing lecture slides or recordings, checking posted readings, or following up during office hours
- Missing a participation activity (such as an in a group activities or discussion): asking how participation is assessed in that course and whether there are other ways to engage
- Missing a lab or tutorial/seminar: discussing options with your instructor or Faculty/Program Office, such as attending an alternate lab/tutorial/seminar or completing a different academic activity
Your instructor can help clarify what applies in your course.
It's a shared process
You and your instructor will work together to confirm the most appropriate alternative arrangements.
Staying on track
RISO accommodations may adjust timing or format, but students are responsible for completing course content and catching up on any material missed. Instructors can help clarify expectations, but students are expected to take initiative in reviewing notes, readings, and course resources.
Support related to the RISO policy
- If you’re unsure how to catch up after missing class, or how an accommodation affects your coursework, talking with your instructor or Faculty/Program Office can help clarify expectations and what’s next.
- Students or instructors can reach out to the Equity & Inclusion Office (EIO) for guidance or support. You can also contact the Ombuds Office for advice or guidance on how this policy is applied.
- The Spiritual Care and Learning Centre is also a place of support and guidance, particularly for students seeking conversation, reflection or support related to religious, spiritual or Indigenous practices.
- If there is a question related to a final exam, you can connect with a member of staff from the Exams Office, exams@mcmaster.ca.
- Ceremonial Practices for Indigenous students are encouraged to contact Indigenous Student Services (indigssa@mcmaster.ca) for guidance and support.
- If you’re not satisfied with the alternative arrangements, start by talking with your instructor to discuss your concerns.
- If concerns remain, you can contact your Faculty or Program Office to ask for support. They can help guide what’s next in the process and connect you with the appropriate academic leader (such as an associate/assistant dean or program director, depending on your program).
- The appropriate academic lead will try to help resolve the situation and, if needed, will make a decision.
In rare situations, a request may not be approved by the appropriate academic lead (such as an associate/assistant dean or program director) if there are reasonable concerns about the request.
In most cases, decisions about RISO accommodations are final and are not part of the regular student appeal process.
That said, there are two situations where you can seek further review or support:
- When you have a concern about the process: If you believe there was an issue with how the process was handled (for example, timelines were not followed or information was not reviewed, significant delays in communication), you can contact the University Secretariat for guidance.
- When you have a human rights concern: If you have questions or concerns about your human rights in relation to a religious, Indigenous or spiritual observance, please contact the Equity & Inclusion Office (EIO) for information, support and guidance.
Additional support if a RISO decision is declined
- The Spiritual Care and Learning Centre (SCLC) is also a safe, confidential and welcoming space for all students. Students can talk through concerns, reflect on what’s next and explore options. Some students find these conversations helpful before deciding how to proceed. When appropriate, the Centre can also help connect students with the offices listed above.
- The Ombuds Office is another space that offers free, independent, impartial and confidential guidance to help all members of the McMaster community resolve complaints or concerns.
Related policies and resources
You may also find these policies and resources helpful: