Accommodation

Academic Consideration for Medical or Other Extenuating Circumstances

Academic Consideration is based on the principle of good faith and is governed by the Academic Consideration Policy for Students in Medical or Other Extenuating Circumstances. Instructors should seek to provide alternate academic arrangements consistent with learning outcomes to students who may be unable to meet an academic obligation due to extenuating circumstances.  If an instructor is concerned that the learning outcome or accreditation requirements of a course can no longer be met, they should discuss options with their Chair or Director.

Extenuating circumstances are circumstances that:

• are beyond a student’s control,
• have a significant impact on the student’s capacity to meet their academic obligations; and
• could not have reasonably been prevented.

Consideration may include:

• an alternative assignment
• re-weighting of term marks
• modified schedule for assignments, projects, and labs
• other options at the discretion of the instructor such that learning outcomes and accreditation requirements for professional programs are maintained.

For short-term considerations (normally 5 days or less), an instructor may request the student complete a self-declaration using the online  Academic Consideration for Coursework Form. Instructors are not permitted to request medical documentation.

For longer-term considerations and more complex situations, the instructor shall seek guidance from the Registrar’s Office.

Please review the Faculty Information Page by logging in with your MC1 credentials to review the Guidelines for Instructors and the Procedures for Students.

Accommodation on Basis of Disability, Religious Obligations, and Family Status

III. Pregnancy Accommodation

Pregnancy accommodation may involve a temporary modification of the elements of the student’s academic program (e.g., laboratory, tutorial, assignment, mid term, final exam, or fieldwork).

Upon receipt of a request for accommodation, you are required to determine an appropriate accommodation in consultation with the student in a way that avoids academic disadvantage to the student.

• For in-class and mid-term accommodation, discuss directly with the student any request for an in-class accommodation.
• For final exam accommodation, discuss with the student any request for accommodation for final examinations. When you have reached an agreement regarding the most appropriate form of accommodation, if needed, please contact Scheduling and Examination Services (SES) Office to coordinate the accommodation.

If you or the student have further questions or need clarification within the University’s accommodation policy, please contact Equity and Inclusive Communities (EIC) at equity@carleton.ca or by calling (613) 520-5622 to speak to an Equity Advisor.

Other Accommodations

In addition to accommodating human rights, the University also requests that instructors provide all reasonable accommodation to students engaged in certain extracurricular activities and who participate in National or Provincial Days of Action.

IV. Accommodation for Student Activities 

The following Senate Policy was adopted in 2019:

“The University recognizes the substantial benefits, both to the individual student and for the university, that result from a student participating in activities beyond the classroom experience. For example, student athletes competing at a national level can serve as role models, balancing an active, healthy lifestyle with academic pursuits. Students who compete or perform at a high level represent the university in a positive light and can serve as ambassadors for the university.”

“Carleton University strongly supports these activities. Faculty members must provide all reasonable accommodation to students who compete or perform at the national or international level. In particular, this includes varsity athletes, students participating in recognized international academic competitions or student artists performing internationally. When it is unclear if the nature of the activity warrants accommodation, faculty members are guided to discuss the issue with their Chair or Director. The Dean, when required, will make a final determination regarding the accommodation after making sufficient consultations to ensure a consistent application of this policy across the university. The Director of Athletics may be contacted to determine the acceptability of an athletic accommodation. Students who feel a faculty member has denied the accommodation required under this policy or who feel that the accommodation provided by the faculty member is not appropriate should contact the Dean responsible for their program.

This accommodation may involve rescheduling of academic deadlines, providing alternate means of assessment or facilitating off-campus examinations. Support in coordinating off-campus examinations is available from Scheduling and Examination Services.”

V. Accommodation for Days of Action 

The Senate has adopted a policy in 2010 that encourages all instructors to accommodate students who participate in a National or Provincial (Ontario) Day of Action subject to the following conditions:

1. The issue addressed by the Day of Action is included within the issue of government support for education and accessibility.
2. Notice of the Day of Action is given to the Provost, by the executive of GSA or CUSA, by August 1 before the academic year of the Day of Action.
3. As in all cases of accommodation, students remain responsible for all academic obligations.