One of the challenges every Jewish student needs to navigate is how when Jewish observance and class obligations cross paths. McMaster University has formulated an official accommodations policy that requires all professors and Faculties to allow students to miss class/labs without being penalized in any form for religious reasons, and to reschedule midterms and exams should they fall on Shabbat or Jewish Holidays.
This link is an important fact sheet for all students. It contains a summary of your obligations to inform the school in a timely manner an their obligations and options of accommodation.
For Class/Lab/Tests by Faculty For Registrar Invigilated Exams
For Classes and Tests administered by your faculty, download the following form and submit it to the office of the Associate Dean of your faculty or program. You must fill out the form 10 days into the semester. The Faculty office will then notify you that they have received and approved the accommodations and informed the instructors it involves. You are to then approach the instructor at least 5 days before the date of conflict.
Arts and Science Program https://artsci.mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/2019/08/RISO-Academic-Accomodations-Form-Arts-Science.pdf
Degroote School of Business (Faculty of Business)
https://ug.degroote.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/91/2019/07/RISO-Form.pdf submit to buscom@mcmaster.ca
Faculty of Engineering https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/academic_accommodation_for_religious_indigenous_and_spiritual_observances_riso-student_request_form.pdf
Faculty of Health Sciences Please submit through the BHSc help desk bhschelp.mcmaster.ca
School of Nursing https://nursing.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Fillable-RISO-Request-23-24.pdf
Faculty of Humanities https://humadvising.humanities.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Humanities-RISO-Form.pdf
Faculty of Science https://macservicedesk.mcmaster.ca/plugins/servlet/desk/portal/762/create/3504
Faculty of Social Sciences https://socialsciences.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/RISO-Fillable-Form.pdf
FOR REGISTRAR INVIGILATED EXAMS
You must submit a RISO final exam form as a Service Request on MOSAIC (see here for service request information) at least ten (10) working days before the start of the exam period.
https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/RISO-Form-Aug-2023-Service-Request.pdf
Graduate and CCE students use this link and submit the form to the Associate Dean for your program or the Assistant Director of the CCE