Religious Holidays during the 2016-2017 Academic Year

This is not an inclusive list and there may be other holidays that pose conflicts for students.

Link to U-M Guidance to Students Regarding Conflicts Between the Academic and Religious Calendars

HOLIDAYS	FAITH	DATE(S)
Paryushan **	Jain	August 28
Id al-Adha **	Islam	September 11
Rosh Hashanah *	Jewish	October 2 - 4
Yom Kippur *	Jewish	October 11 - 12
Sukkot *	Jewish	October 16 - 18
Birthday of the Bab	Baha'I	October 20
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah *	Jewish	October 23 - 25
10th of Muharram **	Islam	October 3
Diwali **	Hindu	October 30 - November 3
Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh	Baha'I	November 12
Birth of the Prophet Muhammad **	Islam	December 12
Hanukkah	Jewish	December 24 - January 1
Christmas	Christian	December 25
Feast of the Epiphany	Christian	January 6
Eastern Orthodox Christmas (Julian Calendar)	Orthodox Christian	January 7
Sankranti	Hindu	January 14
Chinese New Year & Tet	Confucianism / Taoism / Buddhism	January 28
Eastern Orthodox Beginning of Lent	Orthodox Christian	February 27
Ash Wednesday	Christian	March 1
Nowruz	Baha'I / Zoroastrianism	March 21
Passover (Pesach) *	Jewish	April 10 – 18
Good Friday	Christian	April 14
Eastern Orthodox Good Friday	Orthodox Christian	April 14
Baisakhi	Sikh	April 14
Easter	Christian	April 16
Eastern Orthodox Easter	Orthodox Christian	April 16
Ridvan	Baha'I	April 21
9th Day of Ridvan	Baha'I	April 29
12th Day of Ridvan	Baha'I	May 2
Declaration of the Bab	Baha'I	May 23
Ascension Day	Christian	May 25
Eastern Orthodox Ascension Day	Orthodox Christian	May 25
Ramadan **	Islam	May 27 - June 25
Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh	Baha'I	May 29
Shavuot *	Jewish	May 30 - June 1
23rd of Ramadan **	Islam	June 18
Id al-Fitr **	Islam	June 26
Martyrdom of the Bab	Baha'I	July 9
Holy Day of  ’Arafah **	Islam	August 31

*Jewish holy days begin and end at sundown on the first and last days listed.
**These holidays are calculated on a lunar calendar and are approximate.

 

U-M Guidance to Students Regarding Conflicts Between the Academic and Religious Calendars

Although the University of Michigan, as an institution, does not observe religious holidays, it has long been the University's policy that every reasonable effort should be made to help students avoid negative academic consequences when their religious obligations conflict with academic requirements. Absence from classes or examinations for religious reasons does not relieve students from responsibility for any part of the course work required during the period of absence. Students who expect to miss classes, examinations, or other assignments as a consequence of their religious observance shall be provided with a reasonable alternative opportunity to complete such academic responsibilities. It is the obligation of students to provide faculty with reasonable notice of the dates of religious holidays on which they will be absent. Such notice must be given by the drop/add deadline of the given term. Students who are absent on days of examinations or class assignments shall be offered an opportunity to make up the work, without penalty, unless it can be demonstrated that a make-up opportunity would interfere unreasonably with the delivery of the course. Should disagreement arise over any aspect of this policy, the parties involved should contact the Department Chair, the Dean of the School, or the Ombudsperson. Final appeals will be resolved by the Provost.