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.