Be informed: What to do when you have a RISO request

Students requiring academic accommodations based on Religious, Indigenous, or Spiritual Observances (RISO) should follow the procedures set out in the RISO Policy.

Students MUST look at all course deliverables at the start of term.

What you need to know:

• Students requiring a RISO accommodation should submit their request to buscom@mcmaster.ca within ten working days from the beginning of each term in which they are anticipating a need for accommodation.
• The completed RISO form should include:
  • The names and dates of all Observances in the term that, to the best of your knowledge at the time of submission, may conflict with academic obligations.
  • The name of the instructor, course, and course code for all courses that you are requesting an accommodation for.
• You will be contacted at your McMaster email as soon as the RISO is reviewed with a decision.
• If approved, contact your instructor(s) immediately to make alternative arrangements for classes, assignments, and tests.
• If your RISO is for a midterm, you may be eligible for a rewrite.
• If your RISO accommodation is for a final exam or during a deferred exam period, please email your RISO form to the Examinations Office ( exams@mcmaster.ca)  at least two weeks prior to the Examination Period

More information about RISO can be found on our RISO Fact Sheet.

For additional information on missed coursework, please visit our Missed Coursework Policy webpage.