RELIGIOUS and Cultural HOLIDAYS

Dear Friends,

Here is a calendar of religious holidays for Fall 2014. (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 2014

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

August

30 – Sep 7

Paryushana Parva

Jain

September

8	Ksamavani	Jain
11	Ethiopian New Year	Rastafari
13	Janmasthami	Hindu
12-16	Paitishahema Gahambar	Zoroastrian
23	Mabon / Fall Equinox	Wiccan
23	Shuubun no Hi	Buddhist (Japan)
23	Radhasthami	Hindu
25-26	Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on 24th	Jewish
25 – Oct 3	Maha Navaratri	Sikh, Hindu

October

2	Mihragan: Celebration of Mithra	Zoroastrian
3	Dushera	Sikh
4	Yom Kippur begins as sundown on the 3rd	Jewish
5	Eid al Adha begins at sundown on the 4th	Muslim
9	Birthday of Guru Ram Das	Sikh
9-10	Sukkot begins at sundown on the 8th	Jewish
14	Al-Hijira (Islamic New Year)	Muslim
12 – 16	Ayathrem Gahambar	Zoroastrian
16	Shemini Atzerert begins at sundown on the 15th	Jewish
17	Simchat Torah begins at sundown on the 16th	Jewish
20	Birth of the Bab	Baha’i
23	Bandi Chhor Divas	Sikh
23-27	Diwali (Deepavali), Mahavira Nirvana	Hindu, Sikh, Jain,
23	Ashura	Muslim
31	Samhain	Wiccan
31	All Hallows Eve	Christian

November

1	All Saints' Day	Christian
2	Coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie I	Rastafari
6	Guru Nanak Jayanti	Sikh
7	Lhabab Duchen	Buddhist (Tibetan)
8	Jnana Panchami	Jain
15	Nativity Fast begins	Orthodox Christian
15	Shichigosan	Shinto
17	Anapanasati	Buddhist (Theravadan)
24	Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom	Sikh
24	Adargan	Zoroastrian
26	Day of Covenant begins at sundown on 25th	Baha’i
27	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
17- 24	Hanukkah begins at sunset on the 16th	Jewish
21	Yule	Wiccan
21	Yalda (Shab-e Chelleh)	Zoroastrian
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.