A male student at York University requested to be exempt from a group project in September 2013 due to religious beliefs, as the assignment would require that he work with female students.
While the professor, J. Paul Grayson, ultimately denied this request, it was granted by the dean of the faculty of arts, Martin Singer, according to the Globe and Mail.
The student respected his professor’s decision and has since met with his group, according to the Globe and Mail.
However, York University remains supportive of the student’s initial request.
Rhonda Lenton, York vice-president academic and provost, said “York is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment for all students, faculty, and staff,” in a statement released Jan. 9.
She said for any request for accommodation, a decision is made taking into account many factors including the Ontario Human Rights Code, individual circumstances, and the requirements of the law.
A deciding factor in the case was the fact it was an online course and another student had already been given permission to complete this part of the course off-campus, Lenton said.
Even though an agreement was reached between the student and the professor, Lenton said religious accommodation concerns remain a very important issue.
“Nevertheless, the broader issue of religious accommodations in secular universities remains an important societal concern that warrants further discussion. It is noteworthy that the Ontario Human Rights Commission is currently reviewing these matters,” the statement read.
Brad Duguid, Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities, said in a media conference his inclination would be to side with the views of the professor, but he also said he recognizes the university has jurisdiction over these types of matters.
“There are conflicting principles involved here and I recognize that and respect the decision of the university to consider all sides,” he said.
Duguid said schools should not be obliged to change the curriculum of a course in any way that could be considered discriminatory to gender equality.
“As Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities, I would say that I am not of the belief that colleges and universities are obliged to accommodate student requests to separate themselves on the basis of gender equality,” he said.
This is a complicated issue and one of societal interest, Lenton said, and York welcomes the current discussion of religious accommodation.
“This is a complex issue facing all universities and public institutions, and we are pleased that the debate is now taking place in the public fora,” she said.
