RELIGIOUS and Cultural HOLIDAYS

Dear Friends,

Here is a holiday calendar for Spring 2012. (Note that some holidays may be celebrated on different days due to sectarian and regional differences.)

As you probably know, the Colleges' policy on religious observance includes the following: "The Colleges accept the responsibility of making available to each student who is absent from class because of religious obligations and practices an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirement missed."

Some of our students come from very strong religious and cultural backgrounds where no classes are held on Rosh Ha-Shanah, Yom Kippur, Diwali, Eid-ul-Fitr, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, etc. In order to support these students in maintaining their religious and cultural diversity, it is helpful to do the following:

• Avoid scheduling tests, major quizzes, field trips, major lectures and large campus events on major holidays.
• Include a reminder of our campus policy in your syllabus.
• Note the responsibilities students have in requesting accommodation.
• Note the ways you anticipate providing accommodations.
• Talk about the issue when you address your attendance policy at the start of the semester.

I thank you in advance for your help in making Hobart and William Smith Colleges a community that welcomes diversity and assists students to claim their religious and cultural identities.

Please let me know if you find errors or have additions!

Lesley Adams,
Chaplain

SPRING 2012 RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

(Major holidays, especially those with work restrictions are listed in bold type. Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before.)

January
16       Martin Luther King Jr. Day
19-12  Mahayana New Year, Buddhist
23       Asian New Year (Dragon), Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist
28       Vasant Panchami, Hindu
31       Birthday of Guru Har Rai, Sikh

February
02       Imbolc, Wicca
03       Maha Shivratri, Hindu
03       Setsunbun-sai, Shi
04       Mawlid an Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet), Muslim
08       Tu B’Shevat, Jewish
08       Nirvana Day, Buddhist
21       Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras, Christian
22       Ash Wednesday, Christian
25       Milad un Nabi (Shia), Muslim

March
02       Nineteen Day Fast begins, Baha’i
08       International Women’s Day
08       Magha Puja Day, Buddhist
08       Purim (begins sundown on 7th), Jewish
08       Holi, Hindu
09       Hola Mohalla, Sikh
20       Ostara, Wicca
21       Naw Ruz (New Year), Baha’i
21       Norouz (New Year), Persian/Zoroastrian
21       Spring Ohigon, Buddhist (Japan)
21       Shunki-sorei-sai, Shinto
23-4/1 Ramayana week, Hindu
28       Khordad Sal (Zoroaster Birthday), Zorastrian

April
01       Palm Sunday, Christian
01       Vaisaki (New Year), Hindu
01       Ramanavami, Hindu
05       Maundy Thursday, Christian [Western]
06       Good Friday, Christian [Western]
06       Mahavir Jayanti, Jain
06       Hanuman Jayanti, Hindu
06       Theravadin New Year, Buddhist
07-14 Passover (begins sundown 6th), Jewish
08       Easter Sunday, Christian [Western]
08       Palm Sunday, Christian [Orthodox]
13       Holy Friday, Christian [Orthodox]
13       Baisaki, Sikh
15       Pascha/Easter, Christian [Orthodox]
21       Ridvan – First Day, Baha’i
29       Ridvan – Ninth Day, Baha’i

May
01      Beltane, Wicca
06      Visakha Puja, Buddha Day
02       Ridvan – Twelfth Day, Baha’i
17       Ascension Day, Christian [Western]

POLICY

The Colleges’ policy on religious observance includes the following: “The Colleges accept the responsibility of making available to each student who is absent from class because of religious obligations and practices an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study or work requirement missed.”

Major holidays, especially those with work restrictions, are listed in bold type. Jewish and Muslim holidays begin the evening before.

CONTACT

If your religion is not reflected in this list, please feel free to contact The Rev. Lesley M. Adams, Chaplain.