top of page

- McGill University - 

McGill University has established policies and resources to support students' rights, including protections against discrimination and procedures for requesting religious accommodations. This section provides an overview of the key policies, available resources, and support services to help Muslim students better understand their rights and navigate university procedures.

 

*** This guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace McGill University's official policies or legal advice.

​

McGill University prohibits harassment and discrimination based on protected characteristics, including religion. Every student has the right to learn in an environment that is respectful, safe, and free from discrimination.

Know Your Rights

  • Report harassment or discrimination if you experience it or witness it.

  • Choose how to proceed: you can use McGill’s internal process or seek help through external legal options.

  • Have your information kept confidential during the process.

  • Be protected from retaliation (punishment, threats, or negative consequences) for making a report honestly and in good faith.

​

When can confidentiality be broken?

  • If there is a serious risk to the safety or security of others.

  • If disclosure is required by law.

Policy on Harassement and Discrimination

image.png

For more infos on your rights as McGill students: Know Your Rights – A Journey to Excellence.

Reporting Harassment or Discrimination at McGill

 

Step 1 – Document the Incident

Write down what happened, including the date, time, location, people involved, and any witnesses. Keep emails, messages, photos, or other evidence. If multiple students experienced the same behaviour, you may submit individual or joint reports.

​

Step 2 – Submit a Report

Send a written report to McGill's Office for Mediation and Reporting (OMR) (Contact Us | Office for Mediation and Reporting - McGill University)  Include a description of the incident, the people involved (if known), the circumstances, and any supporting evidence. The OMR will explain your rights and available options.

​

Step 3 – Mediation (Optional)

The OMR may offer voluntary and confidential mediation to help resolve the issue. If mediation is unsuccessful or declined, the case may proceed to a formal investigation.

​

Step 4 – Formal Investigation

An impartial investigator reviews the complaint by interviewing those involved, examining evidence, and applying McGill's policies. Both parties are informed of their rights throughout the process.

​

Step 5 – Decision

If harassment or discrimination is confirmed, McGill may take disciplinary or corrective action. You will be informed of the outcome and any available review options.

​

Step 6 – Additional Support

If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may seek further assistance from the McGill Ombudsperson, the Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU), or the Quebec Human Rights Commission.

​

Step 7 – Confidentiality & Protection

Your report will remain confidential except when disclosure is required by law or necessary to protect someone's safety. Students who report incidents in good faith are protected from retaliation.

Religious Accomodations at McGill University

Know Your Rights

McGill University recognizes students' right to practice their religion and provides academic accommodations when a religious observance conflicts with an academic requirement. This policy is based on the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and applies to all McGill students, instructors, and academic units.

Religious observances include any religious practice or holy day observed by a student. McGill publishes a multifaith calendar each year to help avoid scheduling conflicts, although it is not an exhaustive list of all religious observances.

Your Rights

As a student, you have the right to:

  • Request an academic accommodation if a religious observance conflicts with an exam, assignment, or other course requirement.

  • Be considered for a reasonable accommodation without academic penalty.

  • Have your request assessed fairly and individually.

  • Receive a decision from your Faculty if you and your instructor cannot agree on an accommodation.

 

How to Request a Religious Accommodation

Step 1 – Notify Your Instructor

For quizzes, assignments, presentations, or other course assessments (excluding final exams), notify your instructor at least two weeks in advance of the religious conflict.

Step 2 – Discuss Possible Accommodations

Possible accommodations may include:

  • rescheduling the assessment;

  • completing an alternative assessment;

  • redistributing the assessment's weight to other course components.

Step 3 – If You Cannot Reach an Agreement

If you and your instructor cannot agree on a reasonable accommodation, the matter will be reviewed by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, who will determine the appropriate accommodation.

Step 4 – Final Exam Accommodations

If the conflict involves a final exam, you must submit your Faculty's Final Exam Conflict Form at least four weeks before the examination period begins.

Possible accommodations include:

  • writing the exam at another time during the exam period;

  • taking a special deferred exam;

  • taking a regular deferred exam.

The final decision is made by the Exam Office in consultation with the student.

Important

  • Students cannot be academically penalized because of a legitimate religious observance.

  • McGill aims to avoid scheduling assessments on major religious holy days whenever reasonably possible.

  • Religious accommodation requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time for appropriate arrangements.

bottom of page