Religious Observances and Academic Considerations
To help ensure our student success, we encourage faculty to be mindful of major religious observances that may affect students’ ability to participate fully in classes, exams, and other academic activities. While classes are not cancelled on religious holidays, many of these observances involve fasting, extended worship, or travel to be with family and community, and advance planning can help minimize conflicts for students.
To best serve our students, please make any necessary adjustments to your course schedule and assignments where possible. New York State Education Law provides that students who choose not to attend classes or take exams, including final exams, on certain days because of their religious beliefs will be given an equivalent opportunity to make up the work requirements or exams they miss without penalties. Requiring a student to use the opportunity to skip or drop a test for this purpose is a penalty.
Based on the makeup of our student body, the following observances are especially important to keep in mind for the 2026-2027 academic year:
This is not an exhaustive list; there may be other observations to consider when scheduling academic work. Faculty are expected to work with students to reasonably accommodate their sincerely held religious beliefs and observations regardless of religion. Therefore, we highly recommend that faculty consult with their students and ask that they inform you of any observances that may warrant reasonable accommodation.
It is also advised that faculty consult with their dean or department chair regarding religious observations and their potential impact on instructional planning.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration as you design your courses and support our students’ academic success. If you have questions, please contact academicexcellence@rochester.edu or the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.
Christian Life| Observance | Date(s) | Student Considerations |
|---|
| Holy Week | March 21–28 | Good Friday (March 26) is of particular importance. Faculty are expected to avoid scheduling exams, major projects, or other significant academic requirements on this date. |
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Hindu Life| Observance | Date(s) | Student Considerations |
|---|
| Diwali | November 10–11 | Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj observances |
| Holi | March 22 | A Hindu festival marking the arrival of spring. The date of celebration is determined by the lunar calendar. The Holi celebration begins the evening of March 22. Faculty are expected to avoid scheduling exams, major projects, or other significant academic requirements on March 23. |
| Tamil New Year (Puthandu) | April 14 | Tamil New Year celebration. |
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Jewish Life| Observance | Date(s) | Student Considerations |
|---|
| Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) | September 21 | Holiest day of the year. Includes a 25-hour fast. Faculty are expected to avoid scheduling exams, major projects, or other significant academic requirements on this date. Students may need to leave early on Sept. 20. |
| Passover / Pesach (First Two Days) Passover / Pesach (Final Two Days) | April 21–23 April 28–29 | Begins at sunset on April 21 with the tradition of Seder meal and ends at nightfall on April 29. Faculty are expected to avoid scheduling exams, major projects, or other significant academic requirements on April 22–23 and April 28–29. Academic work is acceptable with restrictions on April 24–27; however, exams should not be scheduled for April 22. Makeup exams must be offered if exam schedule conflicts are unavoidable. |
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Muslim Life| Observance | Date(s) | Student Considerations |
|---|
| Ramadan | *February 8–March 9 | Daily fast with sundown fast breaking; evening classes may be affected.*Dates depend on moon sighting. |
| Eid al‑Fitr (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast) | *March 9 or 10 | Celebrated on March 9 or 10, *depending on the moon sighting. Students observing Eid may be unable to participate in exams or meet major academic deadlines on these dates. Faculty are expected to avoid scheduling exams, major projects, or other significant academic requirements on these dates. |
| Eid al‑Adha | Expected May 16 | May overlap with graduation ceremonies. |
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