It is University policy (University Regulation on Attendance, Book 2, 2.47B, formerly 60.14f) to excuse, without penalty, students who are absent from class because of religious observance and to allow the make-up of work missed because of such absence. Examinations and special required out-of-class activities shall ordinarily not be scheduled on those days when religiously observant students refrain from participating in secular activities. Absences for reasons of religious obligation shall not be counted for purposes of reporting.
Students are advised to provide timely notification to instructors about necessary absences for religious observances and are responsible for making up the work or exams according to an agreed-upon schedule.
*Note that Jewish and Muslim holy days begin at sundown on the first day indicated.
Navigating the Jewish Holiday Season
2025 – 2026 Academic Year
Fall 2025
- September 22-24: Rosh Hashanah* (Judaism)
- October 1-2: Yom Kippur* (Judaism)
- October 2: Dussehra (Hinduism)
- October 6-13: Sukkot* (Judaism)
- October 14-15: Simchat Torah* (Judaism)
- October 20: Diwali (Hinduism)
- October 22-23: Birth of the Bab*** (Baha'i Faith)
- October 23-24: Birth of the Baha'u'llah*** (Baha'i Faith)
- November 1: All Saints Day (Christianity)
- November 5: Guru Nanak Jayanti (Sikhism)
- November 24: Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Sikhism)
- December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Christianity)
- December 8: Bodhi Day (Buddhism)
Spring 2026
- January 13: Maghi (Sikhism)
- February 15-16: Maha Shivaratri (Hinduism)
- February 17: Lunar New Year (Taoism)
- February 17-March 18: Ramadan** (Islam)
- February 18: Ash Wednesday (Christianity)
- February 18-19: Ramakrishna Jayanti (Hinduism)
- March 1-20: Nineteen Day Fast*** (Baha'i Faith)
- March 19: Gudi Padwa/Ugadi (Hinduism)
- March 19-20: Eid al-Fitr** (Islam)
- March 20: Nowruz (Zoroastrianism)
- March 26: Rama Navami (Hinduism)
- March 26: Khordad Sal (Zoroastrianism)
- April 1-9: Passover* (Judaism)
- April 3: Good Friday (Christianity)
- April 5: Easter (Christianity)
- April 10: Orthodox Good Friday (Christianity)
- April 12: Pascha (Christianity)
- April 20-May 2: Ridvan*** (Baha'i Faith)
- May 1: Vesak (Buddhism)
Summer 2026
- May 22-23: Shavuot* (Judaism)
- May 26-27: Eid al-Adha** (Islam)
- June 3-4: Eid al-Ghadir** (Islam)
- June 8-28: Apostles' Fast (Christianity)
- June 16-17: Islamic New Year** (Islam)
- June 18: Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Sikhism)
- June 25-26: Ashura** (Islam)
- July 9-10: Martyrdom of the Bab*** (Bahai Faith)
- July 22-23: Tish B'Av* (Judaism)
- July 24: Pioneer Day (Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints)
- July 29: Dharma Day (Buddhism)
- August 15: Feast of the Assumption/Dormition (Christianity)
- August 16: Krishna Janmashtani (Hinduism)
*Jewish holy days begin and end at sundown on the first and last days listed.
**These holidays are calculated on a lunar calendar and are approximate. Muslim holidays begin and end at sundown on the first and last days listed.
***The Baha'i day ends and a new one begins at sunset; consequently, the day on which a Holy Day is observed begins at sunset of the day before the Gregorian calendar dates given above.
**** Juneteenth is recognized by the state holiday which is the 3rd Friday of June – this year falling on June 19th
