Religious male student shouldn’t be separated from women at York U: petition

Watch the video above: York University student doesn’t want to work with women for “religious” reasons. Jennifer Palisoc reports. 

TORONTO – An online petition is urging York University to reverse a decision allowing a male student to work separately from women because of religious beliefs.

“Tell York University that sexual and gender discrimination based on personal religious beliefs must not be condoned in universities and other public institutions,” the petition reads. “Tell York University that we support Professor Grayson’s decision to treat all students equally regardless of gender or religious belief.”

The issue arose in September after a student, whose name has not been released, told York University sociology professor Paul Grayson that he wouldn’t be able to complete the online class’ only in-person requirement; a focus group with his classmates.

His reason? It trampled his “firm religious beliefs,” according to an interview Grayson did with The Toronto Star.

“One of the main reasons that I have chosen internet courses to complete my BA is due to my firm religious beliefs,” the student wrote according to The Star. “It will not be possible for me to meet in public with a group of women (the majority of my group) to complete some of these tasks.”

Grayson denied the request but was ordered to reverse his decision by the faculty’s dean who said the student should be accommodated because it wouldn’t impact the rest of the class.

The professor could be reprimanded for his decision.

But one Toronto-based author is “pleasantly surprised” that the professor stood up for gender equality.

“I’ve not seen such spine and such courage and fortitude in any mainstream Canadian academic or politician or statesmen in the last 10 years,” Tarek Fatah said. “He stood up for gender equality and hats off to the young women who were university students who protested this.”

Fatah suggested the school is bending to religious fundamentalism (though the student’s religion has not been identified).

York University released a statement Thursday evening claiming the school is “committed to creating an inclusive learning environment.”

The school took into consideration the legal requirements, competing rights, academic requirements and circumstances before granting the “accommodation request,” the statement read.

“A deciding factor in this case was that it was an online course where another student had previously been given permission to complete the course requirement off-campus. Ultimately, a satisfactory agreement was reached between the professor and the student,” the statement read.

– With files from Jennifer Palisoc