Campus News
Celebrating and Observing Ramadan, Easter and Passover
As we begin the spring quarter on April 3, Muslim, Jewish and Christian community members may observe Ramadan, Passover and Easter, respectively. These holidays will take place over the next month.
Dear Faculty Colleagues,
As we begin the spring quarter on April 3, Muslim, Jewish and Christian community members may observe Ramadan, Passover and Easter, respectively. These holidays will take place over the next month:
- Ramadan begins tomorrow, Wednesday, March 22, and ends Friday, April 21, with Eid al Fitr celebrated on April 22 and 23.
- Christians using the Gregorian calendar will begin their observations with Palm Sunday on April 2 and culminate with Easter on Sunday, April 9.
- Passover will begin at sundown on Wednesday, April 5, through sundown Thursday, April 13, and includes Seder, the traditional Passover meal, on the first two nights.
- Eastern Orthodox Christians follow the Julian Calendar and will celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 16.
Students’ observance of these holy days may include missing class and/or requesting extensions for assignments. For some, it will also include limiting or avoiding the use of technology, including virtual learning platforms. For students fasting during Ramadan, the spacing of exams or other synchronous assignments may be especially critical.
Because Passover and the Easter High Holy Days begin so close to the start of a new quarter and Ramadan will already be underway, it may be challenging for students who observe the holidays to navigate their academic responsibilities with instructors. The dean of students will be sending a message later today to all students reminding them that it is best practice to let their instructors know ahead of time if they are going to miss class and/or need an extension on an assignment related to their observation of religious holidays.
When monitoring attendance, scheduling tests, deadlines, and assignments, we encourage you to make reasonable accommodations to help students achieve equitable course outcomes when their religious practices may conflict with the university’s academic calendar. In a parallel fashion, absence from classes or exams for religious reasons does not relieve students’ responsibility for completing any part of the coursework required during the period of absence. For more information on religious observance for tests and examinations, visit the Office of the Registrar’s Final Examinations web page.
If you or other members of our instructional community request accommodation for religious observance, please consult with your department chair or college provost.
Thank you in advance for your support of all our students.
Sincerely,
Lori
Lori Kletzer
Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancello