Absences for Religious Obligations

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.

For our Muslim students who observe Ramadan, this may be your first time navigating Ramadan during college and during the academic year. Chaplain Kaiser Aslam has put together some information to help support Muslim students at this time.


2023 – 2024 Academic Year

 

Eid al-Ghadeer ** Islam July 6
1st of Muharram (Islamic New Year) ** Islam July 19
10 th of Muharram (Ashura) ** Islam July 28
Tisha B’Av** Jewish August 12-13
Arbaʽeen** Islam September 6
Paryushan ** Jain September 11-18
Rosh Hashanah ** Jewish September 15-17
Yom Kippur ** Jewish September 24-25
Sukkot * Jewish September 29 - October. 6
Simchat Torah ** Jewish October 6-8
Shemini Atzeret** Jewish October 7
# Navrati/Dussehra** Hindu October 16-24
Holy Day of Obligation Catholic November 1
Diwali ** Hindu November 12
Hanukkah * Jewish December 7-15
Eastern Orthodox Christmas Orthodox Christian January 7
Sankranti Hindu January 15
Ash Wednesday Christian February 14
Lent Begins Christian February 14
# Ramadan ** Islam March 10 - April 9
Purim ** Jewish March 23-24
Holi Hindu March 25
Good Friday Christian March 29
Easter Christian March 31
23rd Night of Ramadan ** Islam April 2
27th Night of Ramadan ** Islam April 6
# Eid al-Fitr ** Islam April 10
Vaisakhi Sikh April 13
Passover (Pesach) ** Jewish April 22-30
Eastern Orthodox Good Friday Orthodox Christian May 3
Eastern Orthodox Easter Orthodox Christian May 5
Vesak (Theravada) Buddhism May 5
Vesak (Mahayana) Buddhism June 4
Shavuot ** Jewish June 11-13
# Eid-al-Adha** Islam June 17
Juneteenth Interfaith/African American June 19
# Eid al-Ghadeer ** Islam June 25
1st of Muharram (Islamic New Year) ** Islam July 7
10th of Muharram (Ashura) ** Islam July 16

* These holidays (or dates within holidays) are designated non-work (observance) days.
# Some of these dates are not fixed to a calendar but based on the actual sighting of the moon and therefore there may be some variance by day.
**All Jewish, Islamic, and Bahá’í holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the first date shown.