RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

Here is a list of major religious holidays that may affect a student’s participation in classes.  In order to foster a diverse and inclusive learning environment and in keeping with New York State law, found here, the Colleges have adopted the following policy regarding religious observance:

No student shall be prevented from participating in any examination, study, or work requirements because of religious obligations and practices. 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 requirements missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. In effecting these provisions, the Colleges' administration and faculty agree to exercise the fullest measure of good faith and agree that no adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student who avails himself or herself of the Colleges' policy on religious observances. It is the student’s obligation to inform faculty of any necessary accommodation well in advance of the date on which special accommodations are needed.  (HWS Faculty Handbook, March 2017)

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 al-Fitr, etc.  Here are concrete ways you can support your religiously observant students.

1. Avoid scheduling tests, major quizzes, field trips, major lectures and large campus events on major holidays.
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.
6. Encourage your students to convey to you in advance when they will miss a previously scheduled class or examination due to religious observance so that they will not be disadvantaged by their religious practice

Nita Byrd,
Chaplain of the Colleges

Religious Holidays Fall 2017 – Spring 2020

2017-2018 Academic Year

Fall Semester
1-4 September	Eid al-Adha (Muslim)
20 evening-22 September	Rosh Hashanah
29 evening-30 September	Yom Kippur
4 evening-6 October	Sukkot (first days are considered "Holy")
11 evening-12 October	Shemini Atzeret (closing of Sukkot)
12 evening-13 October	Simchat Torah
19 October	Diwali (Hindu)

Spring Semester
25-31 March	Holy Week (Western Christian)
30 March evening-1 April	Passover (first days) (Friday evening March 30 first seder)
1 April	Easter (Western Christian)
1-7 April	Orthodox Holy Week
5-7 April	Passover (last days)
8 April	Orthodox Easter
15 May-14 June	Ramadan (US Muslim)
14-15 June	Eid al-Fitr (US Muslim)

2018-2019 Academic Year

Fall Semester
23-26 August	Eid al-Adha (Muslim)
9 evening -11 September	Rosh Hashanah
18 evening-19 September	Yom Kippur
23 evening-25 September	Sukkot (first days are considered "Holy")
30 September-1 October	Shemini Atzeret (closing of Sukkot)
1 evening-2 October	Simchat Torah
7 November	Diwali (Hindu)

Spring Semester
14-20 April	Holy Week (Western Christian)
19 evening-21 April	Passover (first days) (Friday evening April 19 first seder)
21 April	Easter (Western Christian)
21-27 April	Orthodox Holy Week
25 evening-27 April	Passover (last days)
28 April	Orthodox Easter
5 May-4 June	Ramadan (US Muslim)
4-5 June	Eid al-Fitr (US Muslim)

2019-2020 Academic Year

Fall Semester
12-15 August	Eid al-Adha (Muslim)
29 September evening-1 October	Rosh Hashanah
8 evening-9 October	Yom Kippur
13 evening-15 October	Sukkot (first days are considered "Holy")
20 evening-21 October	Shemini Atzeret (closing of Sukkot)
21 evening-22 October	Simchat Torah
27 October	Diwali (Hindu)

Spring Semester
5-11 April	Holy Week (Western Christian)
8 evening-10 April	Passover - first days Wednesday evening 4/8 (first seder)
12 April	Easter (Western Christian)
12-18 April	Orthodox Holy Week
14 evening-16 April	Passover – last days
19 April	Orthodox Easter
23 April-23 May	Ramadan (US Muslim)
23-24 May	Eid al-Fitr (US Muslim)

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.”

Jewish and Muslim holidays begin the evening before.

CONTACT

If you have any questions about interpreting the policy or other concerns or corrections, please contact the Office for Spiritual Engagement at (315) 781-3671 or tufano@hws.edu.