University Policy on Class Absence for Religious Observances

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. University policy and Massachusetts state law require faculty to offer make-up assignments or exams to students who are absent for religious observance.

Students planning to be absent from classes 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 or the Ombuds Office, tel. (413) 545-0867.

As an aid to curriculum planning, the Office of the Provost offers the following list of major religious observances for the 2009 calendar year. Please note that Jewish, Baha’i, and some Muslim religious observances begin at sundown of the previous day. This list is not exhaustive. Faculty should also consult the more complete list of Days of Religious Observance available at the Religious Affairs Committee’s Web site.

Major Days of Religious Observance 2009

Observance/Religion*

SPRING 2009
Shiva Ratri (Worship of Shiva)/H February 23 Mon
Naw-Ruz (Baha’i and Iranian New Year)/Ba March 21 Sat
Ramanavami (Birth of Rama)/H April 3 Fri
Hanamatsuri (Birth of Buddha)/B April 8 Wed
Passover/J April 9-16 Thu-Thu
Good Friday (Crucifixion of Jesus)/C April 10 Fri
Easter (Resurrection of Jesus)/C April 12 Sun
Baisakhi (Brotherhood – Sisterhood)/S April 14 Tue
First day of Ridvan (Declaration of Baha’u’llah)/Ba April 21 Tue
Wesak (in celebration of the Buddha)/B May 9 Sat

SUMMER 2009
Shavuot/J May 29-30 Fri-Sat

FALL 2009
Ramadan Begins/M August 22 Sat
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)/J September 19-20 Sat-Sun
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)/M September 20 Sun
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)/J September 28 Mon
Sukkot (Festival of Tabernacles)/J October 3-9 Sat-Fri
Diwali/H October 17 Sat
Birth of Baha’u’llah/Ba November 12 Thu
Eid al-Adha (Day of Sacrifice)/M November 27 Fri
Bodhi Day (Enlightenment)/B December 8 Tue
Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)/M December 18 Fri
Christmas (Birth of Jesus)/C (legal holiday) December 25 Fri

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