RELIGIOUS and Cultural HOLIDAYS

Dear Friends,

Here is a calendar of religious holidays for Fall 2015. (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.

Thank you for widening the circle of the Hobart and William Smith community.

Maurice Charles,
Chaplain

Religious and Cultural Holidays for Fall 2015

Major holidays in bold text

September

13-15	Rosh Hashanah	Jewish
23	Yom Kippur	Jewish
24	Eid al-Adha	Islam
27-Oct 4	Sukkot	Jewish

October

5	Shemini Atzeret	Jewish
6	Simchat Torah	Jewish
20	Birth of the Bab	Baha'i

November

1	Samhain	Pagan
1	All Saints Day	Christian
11-15	Diwali	Hindu, Jain, Sikh
12	Birth of Baha'u'llah	Baha'i
29	Advent (begins)	Christian

December

8	Bodhi Day	Buddhist
12	Our Lady of Guadalupe (Feast Day)	Christian
16-24	Hanukkah	Jewish
24	Christmas Eve	Christian
25	Christmas	Christian
26	Kwanzaa (begins)	Pan-African

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 chapel@hws.edu.