Religious Holidays during the 2020-2021 Academic Year
The religious holidays that might pose conflicts with the 2020-2021 academic calendar are shown here. This is not an exhaustive list and there may be other holidays that pose conflicts for students.
• U-M Guidance to Students Regarding Conflicts Between the Academic and Religious Calendars
Many of the holidays listed below are linked to Fact Sheets prepared by a U-M School of Information Project Team with input and review from religious leaders and community organizations. The UMSI team members are Jacques Chestnut, Rebecca Epstein, Claudia Leo, Colum Slevin, Barbara Smith (project lead), and Todd Stuart.
Most religions contain multiple sects, and even within a single sect – multiple practices around a holiday can be found. Authors of these Fact Sheets have attempted to generally describe an event that is likely celebrated in many different ways. If someone feels the authors have misrepresented any information or would like information added, they are open to feedback. Please email them to DEIHolidayFacts@umich.edu.
HOLIDAY |
FAITH |
DATE(S) |
| Martyrdom of the Báb *** | Baha’i | July 9 |
| Holy Day of Arafah ** | Islam | July 29 |
| Eid al-Adha ** | Islam | July 31 |
| Paryushan ** | Jain | August 16-23 |
| 1st of Muharram (Islamic New Year) ** | Islam | August 20 |
| 10th of Muharram (Ashura) ** | Islam | August 29 |
| Rosh Hashanah * | Jewish | September 18 - 20 |
| Yom Kippur * | Jewish | September 27 - 28 |
| Sukkot * | Jewish | October 2 - 9 |
| Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah * | Jewish | October 10 - 11 |
| Birth of the Báb *** | Baha'i | October 18 |
| Birth of Bahá’u’lláh *** | Baha’i | October 19 |
| Birth of the Prophet Muhammad ** | Islam | October 29 |
| Diwali ** | Hindu | November 14 |
| Hanukkah * | Jewish | December 10 - 18 |
| Christmas | Christian | December 25 |
| Kwanzaa | Interfaith / African-American | December 26 - January 1 |
| Feast of Epiphany | Christian | January 6 |
| Eastern Orthodox Christmas | Orthodox Christian | January 7 |
| Sankranti | Hindu | January 15 |
| Lunar New Year | Interfaith / National | February 12 |
| Ash Wednesday | Christian | February 17 |
| Purim * | Jewish | February 25 -26 |
| Eastern Orthodox Beginning of Lent | Orthodox Christian | March 15 |
| Naw‐Rúz *** | Baha’i | March 20 |
| Passover (Pesach) * | Jewish | March 27 - April 4 |
| Good Friday | Christian | April 2 |
| Easter | Christian | April 4 |
| Ramadan ** 2021 Factsheet | Islam | April 12 - May 11 |
| Vaisakhi | Sikh | April 14 |
| First Day of Ridván *** | Baha’i | April 20 |
| Ninth Day of Ridván *** | Baha’i | April 28 |
| Eastern Orthodox Holy Friday | Orthodox Christian | April 30 |
| Twelfth Day of Ridván *** | Baha’i | May 1 |
| Eastern Orthodox Easter (Pascha) | Orthodox Christian | May 2 |
| 23rd Night of Ramadan ** | Islam | May 4 |
| 27th Night of Ramadan ** | Islam | May 8 |
| Eid al-Fitr ** | Islam | May 12 |
| Ascension Day | Christian | May 13 |
| Shavuot * | Jewish | May 16 - 18 |
| Declaration of the Báb *** | Baha’i | May 23 |
| Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh *** | Baha’i | May 28 |
| Eastern Orthodox Ascension Day | Orthodox Christian | June 10 |
| Juneteenth | Inerfaith / African-American | June 19 |
| Martyrdom of the Báb *** | Baha’i | July 9 |
| Holy Day of Arafah ** | Islam | July 19 |
| Eid al-Adha ** | Islam | July 20 |
| 1st of Muharram (Islamic New Year) ** | Islam | August 10 |
| 10th of Muharram (Ashura) ** | Islam | August 19 |
| Shabbat * | Jewish | Weekly |
* 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.
*** The Bahá’í day ends and a new one begins at sunset; consequently, the day on which a Holy Day is observed begins at sunset of the day before the Gregorian calendar dates given above
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.
1/28/21