Religious Holy Days of Observance

Photo by Kumiko SHIMIZU on Unsplash

2022-2023

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of the Chaplain would like for students, faculty, and staff to be aware of a broad range of religious observances. 

Faculty should consider the manner in which holy days might impact student class attendance or their ability to complete assignments on respective due dates. 

Administrative and Academic Units, as well as Student Organizations, should consider holy days when scheduling department-wide or university-wide events and programming. 

Students interested in holy day accommodations for class and lab assignments, attendance, or athletic practice/competition should contact faculty or coaches well in advance with such requests. Students can utilize the Religious Holy Day Accommodation Email Template to reach out to faculty, staff, or coaches, etc.

Below is a list of holy days observed by many students, staff, and faculty members in our community. You can find detailed descriptions of the Holy Days in the next page after the calendar. This list, though exhaustive in its inclusion of traditions represented on our campus, is not complete. Consequently, please direct suggestions for accommodations or additions to the list to the Chaplain’s Office.

July 9*-10‘Eid al-AdhaMuslim
August 7*-8 ‘AshuraMuslim
September 10Mid-Autumn DayEast and Southeast Asian
September 25*-27Rosh HaShanahJewish
Various dates in OctoberKathinTheravada Buddhist
October 4*-5Yom KippurJewish
October 9*-16SukkotJewish
October 24-28 Diwali beginsHindu/Jain
December 8Bodhi DayMahayana Buddhist
December 18*-26HanukkahJewish
December 21Winter SolsticeMany traditions across the World
December 25ChristmasChristian
January 7Feast of the NativityOrthodox Christian
January 22Lunar New yearEast Asian Traditions
Various dates in SpringBuddhist New YearBuddhist
February 22Ash WednesdayCatholic/Protestant Christian
March 8HoliHindu
March 22*-Apr 21RamadanMuslim
Various dates in AprilWater FestivalSoutheast Asian Traditions
April 5*-April 13Pesach/PassoverJewish
April 7Good/Holy FridayCatholic/Protestant & Orthodox Christian
April 8Vesak (Buddha Day)Buddhist
April 9EasterCatholic/Protestant Christian
April 16PaschaOrthodox Christian
April 17*-18Yom HaShoahJewish
April 21*-22‘Eid al-FitrMuslim
May 25*-27ShavuotJewish
June 21Summer Solstice Many traditions across the World

*Note that Jewish and Muslim holy days begin at sundown on the first day indicated.
Holy days on which absence from work or school is common