Absences for Religious Obligations | Office of the Dean of Students—Advocacy, Outreach and Support - Division of Student Affairs

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.

2026 - 2027 Academic Year

Fall 2026

September 11-13: Rosh Hashanah* (Judaism)
September 20-21: Yom Kippur* (Judaism)
September 25-October 2: Sukkot* (Judaism)
October 2-4: Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah* (Judaism)
October 11-19: Navratri (Hinduism)
November 1: All Saints' Day (Catholicism)
November 6-10: Diwali (Hinduism)
December 4-12: Hanukkah* (Judaism)

Spring 2027

February 7-March 9: Ramadan** (Islam)
February 10: Ash Wednesday (Christianity)
February 11: Vasant Panchami (Hinduism)
March 6: Maha Shivaratri (Hinduism)
March 9-10 or March 10-11: Eid al-Fitr** (Islam)
March 10: Ramakrishna Jayanti (Hinduism)
March 22-23: Purim* (Judaism)
March 22: Holi (Hinduism)
March 26: Good Friday (Christianity)
March 28: Easter (Christianity)
April 7: Ugadi (Hinduism)
April 15: Rama Navami (Hinduism)
April 21-29: Passover* (Judaism)
April 30: Holy Friday (Orthodox Christianity)
May 2: Orthodox Easter (Orthodox Christianity)
May 16-17: Eid al-Adha** (Islam)
May 24-25: Eid al-Ghadir** (Islam)

Summer 2027

June 5-6: Islamic New Year** (Islam)
June 10-12: Shavuot* (Judaism)
August 11-12: Tisha B'Av* (Judaism)
August 15: Feast of the Assumption (Catholicism)
August 25: Krishna Janmashtami (Hinduism)

The dates above of major Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Hindu holidays observed during the academic year. This list helps prevent scheduling conflicts that could impact large populations in the campus community. We respectfully acknowledge the many additional religious and spiritual traditions and holy days not listed. Staff members and chaplains from the Dean of Students for Advocacy, Outreach, and Support, and the Office for Faith and Spirituality Initiatives are here for additional consultation.

* 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.