Each year, McMaster works with the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and other partners to schedule Homecoming celebrations.

These celebrations include a variety of campus activities over the course of a weekend in September or October, with a football game as the focal point.

The OUA prepares the football schedule and universities then work within that schedule to find a Homecoming date. This year, McMaster’s home football schedule included a game prior to the beginning of classes, and two games during the first two weeks of term. This left the University with limited flexibility to schedule Homecoming on a date that did not conflict with Yom Kippur.

McMaster is committed to being an inclusive, welcoming and respectful community and apologizes for this scheduling conflict. Steps are being taken to ensure all students have the opportunity to take part in these celebrations, while respecting the observance of Yom Kippur.

The McMaster Students Union President and McMaster Alumni Association are working with McMaster Hillel to offer support and to ask for guidance in acknowledging events in observance of Yom Kippur as part of this year’s Homecoming festivities.