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.

What you need to know:

• 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.
• Students requiring a RISO accommodation should submit their request to the Student Experience Office within ten working days from the beginning of each term in which they are anticipating a need for accommodation.
  • Submit a RISO form in addition to the MSAF-AR form.
• 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.

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.