Absence from Class for Religious Observances

I. POLICY STATEMENT

University policy and Massachusetts state law require faculty to offer make-up assignments or exams to students who are absent for religious observance. Instructors must accept a student's assertion of the need to be absent from class for religious reasons, but students are required to notify instructors in advance that they will miss class in order to observe a religious holiday.

II. PURPOSE

As an aid to curriculum planning, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life offers the list of major religious observances that follows. Please note that Jewish, Baha'i and some Muslim religious observances begin at sundown of the previous day.

III. DEFINITIONS

*B=Buddhist; Ba=Baha'I; C=Christian; H==Hindu; J=Jewish; M=Muslim; S=Sikh

Muharram (Islamic New Year)/M

Shiva Ratri (Worship of Shiva)/H

Naw-Ruz (Baha'i and Iranian New Year)/Ba

Ramanavami (Birth of Rama)/H

Hanamatsuri (Birth of Buddha)/B

Passover/J

Baisakhi (Brotherhood-Sisterhood)/S

Good Friday (Crucifixion of Jesus)/C

Easter (Resurrection of Jesus)/C

First day Rid van (Declaration of Baha 'u 'llah)/Ba

Shavuot/J

Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) J

Ramadan Begins /M

Yorn Kippur (Atonement)/J

Sukkot (Festival ofTabernacles)/J

Diwali (Festival of Lights)/H

Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan)/M

Birth of Baha 'u 'llah/Ba

Bodhi Day (Enlightment)/B

Eid al-Adha (Day of Sacrifice)/M

Christmas (Birth of Jesus)/C (legal holiday) December 25^th

IV. PROCEDURES

Students planning to be absent from class due to religious observance must notify their instructors at least one week in advance. In the event of a dispute between a student and a faculty member, either party should contact the department head.

V. RESPONSIBILITY

The Division of Student Affairs, in collaboration with the Provost's Office, will annually update the religious holidays.

VI. ATTACHMENTS

None