Spiritual Practice

This is to inform you about accommodations we are providing to students to support spiritual practice. An example of this would be: The second tenet of Islam is prayer, called Salah in Arabic. Muslims who observe this practice pray five times daily and, on Fridays, participate in communal prayer.  The timing of each prayer service is determined by the location of the sun and, as such, varies throughout the year and by geographic location. To meet this obligation, students may excuse themselves from any clinical and non-clinical duties. Except for Friday where prayers may take place off-site, students may leave any clinical or non-clinical activity for 10-20 minutes to pray. Students do not need to submit an absence request or provide any documentation of their religious affiliation to fulfill this obligation but, if possible, should advise preceptors privately at the beginning of any session. Preceptors will also be receiving this information.  

There is a resource list below. Please note that this information was prepared in response to a specific student request. Specific accommodation for religious practice and other needs are available for all students. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact the Assistant Dean (either of preclerkship or clerkship). Students may also contact the Student Advocacy and Wellness Hub, if they prefer.  

Accommodations for religious practice policy:
https://www.ucalgary.ca/student-services/faith-spirituality/resources/inclusive-campus  

U of C Faith & Spirituality Centre: https://www.ucalgary.ca/student-services/faith-spirituality  

CSM Student Advocacy and Wellness Hub: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/student-advocacy-wellness-hub/home  

Prayer Spaces at U of C and its Hospitals:  

Health Sciences Centre: Room 1001 just above the security desk by the lot 6 entrance  

Alberta Children’s Hospital: second floor “sacred space”  

Foothills Medical Centre: Chapel, Main Floor, Special Services Building  

Peter Lougheed Centre: Main Floor, South Entrance  

Rockyview General Hospital: 4 Floor. Main floor link between Highwood building and Fisher building  

South Health Campus: main level on the west side of 'Mainstreet' 

Students who do not remove facial hair for religious reasons

Students who do not remove facial hair for religious reasons may use an alternative masking system called "CAPR". CAPR stands for Controlled Air-Purifying Respirator. This system does not require hair removal or fit testing, but it does require training for use. If you would like to trial a CAPR, please send a note to immune@ucalgary.ca.