ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS
Academic accommodation is a collaborative process that requires the participation of both the student and the Common Law Section. If a student fails to communicate their accommodation requests in a timely manner, the Common Law Section may not be able to provide reasonable accommodation. Accommodation requests should be made at the earliest available opportunity, normally in advance of a deadline/scheduled academic evaluation. Please note that retroactive requests may be refused.
Circumstances that may warrant accommodation include but are not restricted to:
- a permanent state of affairs (e.g., a disability, a permanent medical condition),
- an ongoing situation (e.g., a personal crisis, pregnancy),
- reasons related to equity concerns (e.g., religious belief, sole parenthood),
- a one-time event or circumstance (e.g., a short-term illness, a medical emergency, a temporary injury, a day surgery), or
- compassionate grounds (e.g., a death in the immediate family, a sick child or dependent).
Travel, employment, misreading the examination schedule, or failure to appropriately manage one’s time are NOT acceptable reasons for requesting accommodation.
In certain cases, students have the onus to support the request with any necessary documents.
Excused Absences and Assignment Extensions:
If you require an excused absence from class or an assignment extension, your request must be directed to the Senior Specialist, Student Success and Wellness Programs at [email protected].
Exam Deferral:
If you are requesting an exam deferral, you must complete the Declaration Form and email [email protected] your deferral request. An absence from an exam cannot be declared more than five (5) working days prior to the start of the exam or three (3) working days after the exam. However, if a student starts an exam but cannot complete it due to a significant deterioration in their health or a situation requiring immediate or emergency medical attention, the student must submit the Declaration of Absence from an Examination within five (5) working days following the exam.
A student does not need to attach justification for the absence (i.e., a medical certificate or certificate of exceptional personal circumstances) to the Declaration of Absence form for a first-time absence from an exam in a specific course unless the absence occurred while the exam was already underway. After you fill out the Declaration Form, you will receive a follow-up email from the Senior Specialist, Student Success and Wellness Program regarding the outcome of your request and details regarding the deferred exam period. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions and refer to Academic Regulation A-8.6. for more information.
IMPORTANT:
We recommend that all students familiarize themselves with the Academic Regulations around Deferral of Examination (Academic Regulation 7) and Extension of Deadline for Submitting a Written Assignment (Academic Regulation 13).
If circumstances are foreseen, every effort should be made to submit your request for an assignment extension or examination deferral by the 5th working day. If you submit your request more than five days after the evaluation date/due date, you may be required to provide medical evidence or supporting documentation to justify the delay.
