Religious Observances

Religious Observance Policy

The University is a secular institution that values a diversity of religious expression. The University is also an active community with a wide range of personal commitments and academic and extracurricular activities. 

Planning for academic and extracurricular activities should be done with sensitivity to the diverse religious commitments of the community and an awareness of religious holidays. Scheduling large-scale, one-time academic or extra-curricular events on a religious holiday should be avoided whenever possible. 

Any student may be excused from class, other assignments, and student organization activities because of religious observance. A student who will miss an academic obligation because of religious observance is responsible for contacting their professor within the first two weeks of the semester. A student missing an extracurricular or student organization obligation is responsible for contacting the organizer as soon as a conflict is identified. The student is responsible for completing missed work in a timely manner. 

Faculty and student organizations are expected to be mindful of potential conflicts with religious observances and should make reasonable accommodations when students’ religious practices conflict with their academic or extracurricular responsibilities. 

Each year the Office of the Chaplaincy publishes a calendar of religious holidays which occur when the University is open to serve as a scheduling guide. It will include significant holidays from the five global faith traditions noted below (in Exhibit 1). However, this calendar of religious holidays is not comprehensive and students may choose to observe a holiday not included on the calendar. If you have questions about the interpretation of this policy, please contact the Office of the Chaplaincy. 

STU-5001.2 – Exhibit 1: Religious Holidays that Typically Occur when the University is Open: 

Buddhist
Buddha’s Enlightenment Day (also called Rohatsu or Bodhi Day)
Vesak Day

Christian
Ash Wednesday
Good Friday
Easter Sunday 

Hindu
Diwali
Holi

Jewish
Rosh Hashanah
Yom Kippur
Sukkot
Passover 

Muslim
Eid al-Adha
Ashura
Eid al-Fitr

View the Religious Observance Policy.