RELIGIOUS and Cultural HOLIDAYS

Dear Friends,

Here is a calendar of religious holidays for Fall 2013. (Note that some holidays may be celebrated on different days due to sectarian and regional differences.  Many holidays begin at sundown the evening before.) If you find errors or have dates you would like to add, please let me know.

As you are probably aware, 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, etc.  In order to support these students in maintaining their religious and cultural diversity, it is helpful to do the following:

1. Avoid scheduling tests, major quizzes, field trips, major lectures and large campus events on major holidays (noted in bold type).
2. Include a reminder of our campus policy in your syllabus.
3. Note the responsibilities students have in requesting accommodation.
4. Note the ways you anticipate providing accommodations.
5. 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 as they claim their religious and cultural identities.

Lesley Adams,
Chaplain

Religious and Cultural Holidays for Fall 2013

Major holidays in bold text
Some holidays may be celebrated on different dates
according to regional custom or moon sighting.

 

September

5-6	Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on 4th	Jewish
19	Ganesha Charurthi	Hindu
11	Ethiopian New Year	Rastafari
12	Paryushana Parva	Jain
13	Janmasthami	Hindu
14	Yom Kippur begins as sundown on the 13th	Jewish
12-16	Paitishahema Gahambar	Zoroastrian
16	Onam	Hindu
19-25	Sukkot begins at sundown on the 18th	Jewish
22	Mabon / Fall Equinox	Wiccan
23	Shuubun no Hi	Buddhist (Japan)
23	Radhasthami	Hindu
27	Simchat Torah begins at sundown on the 26th	Jewish

October

2	Mihragan: Celebration of Mithra	Zoroastrian
5-13	Navaratri	Hindu
9-13	Durga Puja	Hindu
9	Birthday of Guru Ram Das	Sikh
14	Dussehera	Hindu
15	Eid al Adha  begins at sundown on the 14th	Muslim
19	Pavarana	Buddhist (Theravadan)
20	Birth of the Bab	Baha’i
31	Samhain	Wiccan
31	All Hallows Eve	Christian

November

1	All Saints' Day	Christian
1-5	Diwali (Deepavali)	Hindu, Jain, Sikh
2	Coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie I	Rastafari
3	Bandi Chhor Divas	Sikh
4	Al-Hijira (Islamic New Year)	Muslim
7	Lhabab Duchen	Buddhist (Tibetan)
8	Jnana Panchami	Jain
14	Ashura	Muslim
15	Nativity Fast begins	Orthodox Christian
15	Shichigosan	Shinto
17	Anapanasati	Buddhist (Theravadan)
21	Birthday of Guru Nanak	Sikh
24	Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom	Sikh
24	Adargan	Zoroastrian
26	Day of Covenant begins at sundown on 25th	Baha’i
28-Dec 5	Hanukkah begins at sunset on the 27th	Jewish
28	Thanksgiving	USA
28	Guru Nanak birthday	Sikh

December

1	First Sunday of Advent	Christian
6	St. Nicholas Day	Christian
8	Immaculate Conception	Catholic Christian
12	Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe	Catholic Christian
16	Posadas Navidenas through 12/25	Hispanic Christian
21	Yule/Solstice	Wiccan/ Christian
25	Christmas/Feast of the Nativity	Christian
26	Zartosht No-Diso	Zoroastrian
26 – Jan 1	Kwanzaa	African American
31	Oomisoka	Shinto
31 – Jan 4	Maidyarem Gahambar	Zoroastrian

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.