Southwestern University for Religious Holidays, Observance Days, and Related Absences
Southwestern University is a community of members from diverse faith-traditions and members from no faith-traditions. We encourage students, faculty, and staff to be aware and respectful of the diverse religious observances of the University community members. Required accommodations exist for: Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Christmas Day, Ash Wednesday, Pesach (Passover), Good Friday, and Easter (see below for Southwestern’s Religious Observance Excused Absence Policy). Suggested accommodations may range: adjusted due dates, proctoring exams (if during fasting) at times best for student fasting, offering halal/kosher/vegetarian options when food is offered.
Major Holy Days 2024–2025
Major Holy Days 2023-2024
The days listed below are the ones most likely to affect the academic calendar.
NOTE: Dates in bold indicate holy days where work is prohibited or fasting is involved. An asterisk (*) indicates the holy day begins at sundown the day before this date and ends at sundown on this date.
Students seeking to request a religious accommodation may use this email template.
Date |
Holy Day Name |
Tradition |
Brief Description |
2024 |
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July 17 |
Ashura |
Islam |
For Shias, a commemoration of the |
Aug. 26 |
Krishna Janmashtami |
Hindu |
The birthday of Sri Krishna, an |
Sep. 7 |
Ganesh Chaturthi |
Hindu |
Birthday of Sri Ganesha, revered |
Aug. 31-Sep. 7 |
Paryushan |
Jain |
Eight-day Festival of Forgiveness |
Oct. 2-4 |
Rosh Hashanah |
Jewish |
Beginning of the Jewish Year |
Oct. 3-12 |
Navaratri |
Hindu |
Festival of 9 nights celebrating the |
Oct. 11-12 |
Yom Kippur |
Jewish |
The Day of Atonement. Most |
Oct. 16-23 |
Sukkot |
Jewish |
The Feast of the Tabernacles. |
Oct. 24 |
Shemini Atzeret |
Jewish |
Marks the end of Sukkot. Work is |
Oct. 24-25 |
Simchat Torah |
Jewish |
Work is generally prohibited. |
Oct. 31 |
Diwali |
Hindu, |
Festival of Lights. Light symbolizes |
Nov. 1 |
Samhain |
Wiccan/ |
Festival of Darkness honoring the |
Nov. 1 |
All Saint’s Day |
Christian |
Honors all the saints known and |
Nov. 2 |
Birth of the Bab |
Bahá’í |
Day honoring the birth of one of the founders of the Bahá’í Faith. |
Nov. 3 |
Birth of Bahá’u’lláhm |
Bahá’í | Work is suspended |
Dec. 1 |
Advent |
Christian |
First Sunday of Advent |
Dec. 9 |
Immaculate |
Catholics |
The day where the Virgin Mary was |
Dec. 11 |
Srimad Bhagavad Gita |
Hindu |
Gita Jayanti is the date that Lord |
Dec. 12 |
Our Lady of Guadalupe |
Catholics |
According to Catholic tradition, |
Dec. 25 |
Christmas |
Christian |
Celebration of the Birth of Jesus |
Dec. 25-Jan.2 |
Hanukkah |
Jewish |
Festival of Lights. Marks the victory |
2025 |
|
|
|
Jan. 7 |
Feast of the Nativity |
Orthodox |
Celebration of the Birth of Jesus |
Jan. 14 |
Makar |
Hindu |
A celebration marking the advent of |
Jan. 27 |
Lailat al Miraj |
Muslim |
Commemoration of Prophet |
Jan. 29 |
Chinese New Year |
Confucian, |
A festival marking the new year for |
Feb. 25- 28 |
Ayyám-i-Há |
Bahá’í |
|
Feb. 26 |
Maha Shivaratri |
Hindu |
An evening celebration of the |
Mar. 1-19 |
Nineteen Day Fast |
Bahá’í |
Bahá’ís between the ages of 15 - |
Mar. 1-31 |
Ramadan |
Islam |
Holy month of fasting without |
Mar. 5 |
Ash Wednesday |
Christian |
The beginning of Lent, a 40-day |
Mar. 13-14 |
Purim |
Jewish |
Celebration of the story of Esther. |
Mar. 14 |
Holi |
Hindu |
Festival of colors. A two-day |
Mar. 20 |
Naw-Rúz (New Year) |
Zoroastrian |
Celebration of the Persian New |
Mar. 31 |
Eid al Fitr |
Islam |
Holy day is celebrated to end |
Apr. 6 |
Rama Navami |
Hindu |
Celebration of the birth of Sri
Vishnu who helped restore balance |
Apr.12 |
Hanuman |
Hindu |
Celebrates the birthday of |
Apr.13 |
Palm Sunday |
Christian |
Beginning of Holy Week, prior to |
Apr. 13 |
Vaisakhi |
Sikh |
Marks the formation of the Khalsa |
Apr. 12-20 |
Pesach |
Jewish |
Festival of liberation of Israelites |
Apr.17 Apr.18 Apr.20 |
Holy/Maundy |
Christian |
Commemoration of the Last |
Apr.20 |
Pascha |
Orthodox |
Celebration of Resurrection of |
Apr.20 - May 1 |
Ridvan |
Bahá’í |
Commemoration of the 12 days |
**Religious holiday dates may vary in observance since they are calculated on a lunar calendar, and because they are celebrated on various days around the world.
Southwestern’s Religious Observance Excused Absence Policy
Policy Reminders: One-time University events should not be scheduled during the following holidays; these are events which either (1) require attendance, (2) may not be mandatory, but those not attending would miss an important opportunity to be included in a campus event, and/or (3) are one-time opportunities for participants to receive the services offered: Eid al-Fitr, Eid alAdha, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Christmas Day, Pesach (Passover), Good Friday, and Easter.
Chapel Services: In addition to the above religious holidays, the following dates and times have been identified for Chapel services during the 2023- 2024 academic year. These are priority events which no student, faculty, or staff member may be denied the opportunity to attend because of a conflicting class, meeting, or event.
- Interfaith Prayer Service for PEACE, Sunday, August 18, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
- Spiritual Life Interfaith Fair, Sunday, August 25, 2024, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- Homecoming Worship Service, Sunday, October 27, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
- Willson Lecture, Monday, October 28, 2024, TBD
- Candlelight Worship Services, Thursday, December 5, 2024,
6:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. - Ash Wednesday, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
- Baccalaureate Worship Service, Friday, May 9, 2025, TBD
Religious Absences: Because the religious holidays listed above reflect some,
but not all, of the most commonly observed holidays, the University policies also permit any student to miss class to observe any religious or cultural holidays that are part of their tradition, including holidays that are not listed above. Students are expected to notify their professor of religious absences as far in advance as possible and fulfill missed assignments before the absence. Additionally, University policies permit faculty and staff, including student employees, to miss work in order to observe religious and cultural holidays that are part of their tradition, including holidays that are not listed above. This time off may be without pay or taken as accrued vacation time, and in the case of student employees, it can include a change in work hours within a pay period to accommodate the absence. The University policy notes that faculty members are still expected to meet their class schedules and should work with their Department chair or the Dean of the Faculty to arrange these absences.
These policies can also be found in the Student and Faculty Handbooks and on the Spiritual Life website: www.southwestern.edu/life-at-southwestern/spiritual-
and-religious-life/holidays/.