Accommodations for Religious Observances
Central Michigan University, as a public institution, does not observe religious holidays. However, it is University policy to permit students to be absent from classes or examinations for reason of observing religious holidays. Students are allowed to make up course requirements when they are unable to avoid a conflict between their academic and their religious obligations. Absence from classes or examinations caused by observing religious holidays does not relieve students from responsibility for any part of the course work required during the period of absence. It is the obligation of students to provide faculty with written notice of the religious holiday they will be observing and the date on which they will be absent at least two weeks prior to the date of the religious holiday. Students who miss classes or 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 College, or the Ombudsperson. Final appeals will be resolved by the Provost.
Similarly, every reasonable effort should be made to help faculty and staff avoid negative consequences when their religious and work obligations are in conflict. Reasonable common sense, judgment and the pursuit of mutual goodwill should result in the positive resolution of scheduling conflicts. The regular appeals and grievance processes for faculty and staff should be used if a mutually satisfactory arrangement cannot be reached.
Central Michigan University reserves the right to make exceptions to, modify or eliminate this policy and or its content. This document supersedes all previous policies, procedures or guidelines relative to this subject.
Religious and cultural observances through 2030
The following list includes some, but not all, significant religious and cultural observances that are taking place. We are happy to accept feedback and review modification requests. If you would like to give feedback on the listing, please email Danny McQuarters Jr. at mcqua1dl@cmich.edu.
Fall 2025
September
5 – Mawlid al-Nabi (Islamic)
11 – Enkutatash (Ethiopian Orthodox) & Nayrouz (Coptic Orthodox Christian)
22 – Mabon (Pagan and Wiccan)
23-24 – Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
28-Oct 2 – Durga Puja (Hindu)
October
2 – Yom Kippur (Jewish)
7- Sukkot (Jewish)
12 – Indigenous People's Day (Federal Holiday)
20 – Diwali (Hindu)
22 – Birthday of the Bab (Baha'i)
31 – Samhain (Pagan and Wiccan)
November
1 – All Saints’ Day (Christian)
2 – All Souls’ Day (Christian) & Coronation Day
5 – Kartak Purnima (Hindu/Jain)
21 – The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple (Eastern Orthodox Christian)
24 – Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib (Sikh)
30 – Advent (Christian)
December
1 – Mauna Agyaras (Jain)
6 – Saint Nicholas Day (Christian)
8 – Bodhi Day (Buddhist)
15- Hanukkah (Jewish)
21 – Yule (Pagan and Wiccan)
25 – Christmas (Christian)
Spring 2026
January
1- New Year’s Day (Federal Holiday)
1- Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Catholic)
6- Epiphany (Christian)
7- Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox Christmas) (Eastern Orthodox)
14- Maghi (Hindu)
15- Birth of Guru Gobind Singh (Sikh)
15- Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday (Federal Holiday)
16- Lailatal Miraj (Muslim)
18- World Religion Day (Interfaith)
19- Feast of the Epiphany (Christian)
24- Tu Bishvat (Jewish)
February
1- Imbolc (Northern Hemisphere) (Pagan/Wiccan)
2- Tu Bishvat (Jewish)
3- Lailat al Bara-ah (Muslim)
15- Nirvana Day / Parinirvana Day (Buddhist)
17- Chinese New Year (Observance)
17- Shrove Tuesday (Christian)
18- Ash Wednesday - Lent Begins (Christian)
18- Ramadan Begins (Muslim)
23- Clean Monday - Lent Begins (Eastern Orthodox)
25- Ayyám-i-Há / Intercalary Days Begin (Baha'i)
March
1- Ayyám-i-Há / Intercalary Days End (Baha'i)
2-20- Nineteen-Day Fast (Baha'i)
3- Holika Dahan (Hindu)
4- Hola Mohalla (Sikh)
4- Holi (Hindu)
15- Lailat al-Qadr (Muslim)
17- St. Patrick's Day (Christian)
19- Ramadan Ends (Muslim)
20- Eid al-Fitr (US Date) (Muslim)
21- Naw-Rúz (Baha'i) / Ostara (Pagan/Wiccan) / Spring Equinox (Northern Hemisphere) (Season)
29- Palm Sunday (Christian)
April
1- Pesach (Jewish) / Passover (Jewish)
2- Maundy Thursday (Christian)
3- Good Friday (Christian)
5- Easter (Christian) / Palm Sunday (Christian)
10- Good Friday (Eastern Orthodox)
12- Pascha / Easter (Eastern Orthodox)
14- Baisakhi / Vaisakhi (Sikh/Hindu)
21- Yom Hashoah (Jewish) / Ridván Festival Begins (Baha'i)
22- Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Jewish)
May
1- Beltane (Northern Hemisphere) (Pagan/Wiccan) / Buddha Day (Visakha Puja, Vesak) (Buddhist)
2- Ridván Festival Ends (Baha'i)
14- Ascension Day (Christian)
22-23- Shavuot (Jewish)
24- Declaration of the Báb (Baha'i) / Pentecost (Christian)
25- Memorial Day (Federal Holiday)
27- Eid al-Adha (Muslim)
29- Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Baha'i)
31- Trinity Sunday (Christian)
Summer 2026
June
4- Corpus Christi (Roman Catholic)
7- All Saints Day (Christian)
8 - Race Unity Day
16-Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Sikh) / Al Hijra / Muharram (Islamic)
19-Juneteenth (Federal Holiday)
20-Litha / Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere) (Pagan/Wiccan)
26- Ashura (Islamic)
July
4 - Independence Day (Federal Holiday)
10 - Martyrdom of the Báb (Baha'i)
23 - Tisha B'av (Jewish)
24 - Pioneer Day (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
29- Asalha Puja (Buddhist)
August
1- Lughnasadh (Pagan/Wiccan)
15- Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary (Catholic) / Dormition of the Theotokos (Eastern Orthodox)
26- Mawlid al-Nabi (Muslim)
Fall 2026
September
4 - Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
7 - Labor Day (Federal Holiday)
12-13 - Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
21 - Yom Kippur (Jewish)
23 - Mabon/Autumn Equinox (Northern Hemisphere) (Pagan/Wiccan)
25-27 - Sukkot (Jewish)
October
3 - Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)
4 - Simchat Torah (Jewish)
11 - Navaratri (Hindu)
12- Indigenous People's Day (Federal Holiday)
20 - Birth of Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh)
November
1 - All Saints Day (Christian)
2 - All Souls Day (Christian)
2 - Diwali (Deepavali) (Hindu)
8 - Veterans Day (Federal Holiday)
10 - Birth of the Báb (Baha'i)
11 - Birth of Bahá'u'lláh (Baha'i)
26 - Day of the Covenant (Baha'i)
28 - Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá (Baha'i)
28 - Nativity Fast Begins (Eastern Orthodox)
29 - Advent Begins (Christian)
December
4 - Hanukkah (Jewish)
8 - Bodhi Day (Buddhist)
8 - Feast of Immaculate Conception of Mary (Catholic)
21 - Yule/Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere) (Pagan/Wiccan)
25 - Christmas (Christian)
Spring 2027
January
1 - Shogatsu/Gantan-sai (New Year) (Shinto)
6 - Epiphany (Christian)
7 - Feast of the Nativity (Eastern Orthodox)
February
1 - Candlemas/Imbolc (Pagan/Wiccan)
6 - Spring Festival/Lunar New Year - Year of the Goat
8 - Beginning of Ramadan (Islamic)
10 - Ash Wednesday (first day of Lent) (Christian)
11 - Vasant Panchami / Saraswati Puja (Hindu)
March
5 - Laylat al Qadr (Night of Power; 27th day of Ramadan) (Islamic)
10 - Eid-al-Fitr (Eid-ul-Fitr) (Islamic)
19- Spring Equinox/Ostara (Pagan/Wiccan)
20 - Vernal Equinox (EDT) (Season)
21 - Naw-Rúz (Baha'i New Year) (Baha'i), Palm Sunday (Christian)
22 - Holi (Hindu)
23 - Purim, Festival of Esther (Jewish)
April
5 - Qingming Festival
14 - Vaisakhi / Baisakhi (Sikh/Hindu)
21 - Ridvan Festival, 1st of 12 days (Baha'i)
23 - Pesach, Passover's Beginning (Jewish)
25 - Palm Sunday (Eastern Orthodox)
27-29 - Pesach, Passover's Conclusion (Jewish)
29 - 9th Day of Ridvan (Baha'i)
30 - Holy Friday (Eastern Orthodox)
May
1 - May Day/Beltane (Pagan/Wiccan)
2 - Pascha (Easter) (Eastern Orthodox)
2 - 12th Day of Ridvan (Baha'i)
15 - Yawm al Arafa (Day of Arafa) (Islamic)
17 - Eid al-Adha (Islamic)
24 - Declaration of the Báb (Baha'i)
29 - Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Baha'i)
Summer 2027
Fall 2027
Spring 2028
January
1 - Shogatsu/Gantan-sai (New Year) (Shinto)
6 - Epiphany (Christian)
7 - Feast of the Nativity (Eastern Orthodox)
31 - Vasant Panchami / Saraswati Puja (Hindu)
February
1 - Candlemas/Imbolc (Pagan/Wiccan)
23 - Laylat al Qadr (Night of Power; 27th day of Ramadan) (Islamic)
28 - Beginning of Ramadan (Islamic)
March
1 - Ash Wednesday (Lent) (Christian)
11 - Holi (Hindu)
11-12 - Purim, Festival of Esther (Jewish)
19- Spring Equinox/Ostara (Pagan/Wiccan)
20 - Naw-Rúz (Baha'i New Year) (Baha'i)
April
4 - Qingming Festival
9 - Palm Sunday (Christian & Eastern Orthodox)
10-18 - Pesach, Passover's Beginning & Conclusion (Jewish)
13 - Maundy Thursday (Christian)
14 - Good Friday (Christian & Eastern Orthodox)
16 - Easter (Christian & Eastern Orthodox)
20 - Ridvan Festival, 1st of 12 days (Baha'i)
28 - 9th Day of Ridvan (Baha'i)
May
1 - May Day/Beltane (Pagan/Wiccan) & 12th Day of Ridvan (Baha'i)
4 - Yawm al Arafa (Day of Arafa) (Islamic)
5 - Eid al-Adha (Islamic)
23 - Declaration of the Báb (Baha'i)
24-25 - Al-Hijra / Muharram (New Year) (Islamic)
28 - Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Baha'i)
30-June 1 - Shavuot, Festival of Weeks (Jewish)
Summer 2028
June
3 - Ashura (10th day of Muharram) (Islam)
19 - Summer Solstice/Litha (Midsummer) (Pagan/Wiccan)
20 - Summer Solstice (EDT) (Pagan/Wiccan)
July
9 - Martyrdom of the Báb (Baha'i)
August
1 - Tisha B'Av (Jewish)
3 - The Prophet's Birthday (Islam)
5 - Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)
13 - Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
15 - Assumption of Mary (Christian)
23 - Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu)
26 - Women's Equality Day
Fall 2028
September
4 - Labor Day (Federal Holiday)
11 - Patriot Day
21 - Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
22 - Fall Equinox (Season - commonly associated with Pagan/Wiccan traditions)
27 - Navratri (Hindu) & Dussehra (Hindu)
30 - Yom Kippur (Jewish)
October
5 - Sukkot (Jewish)
9 - Indigenous People's Day (Federal Holiday)
12 - Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)
13 - Simchat Torah (Jewish)
17 - Diwali (Hindu)
November
1 - All Saints' Day (Christian)
2 - All Souls Day (Christian)
11 - Veterans Day (Federal Holiday)
23 - Thanksgiving Day (Federal Holiday)
December
3 - Advent (Christian)
6 - St. Nicholas Day (Christian)
13 - Hanukkah/Chanukah Starts (Jewish)
14 - Isra and Mi'raj (Muslim)
20 - Hanukkah/Chanukah Ends (Jewish)
21 - Winter Solstice (Season - commonly associated with Pagan/Wiccan traditions)
24 - Christmas Eve (Christian)
25 - Christmas Day (Federal Holiday/Christian)
26 - Kwanzaa Starts
31 - New Year's Eve (Federal Holiday)
Spring 2029
January
1- New Year's Day (Federal Holiday) & Laylat al Bara'at (Muslim)
6- Epiphany (Christian)
7- Orthodox Christmas Day (Eastern Orthodox)
14-Orthodox New Year (Eastern Orthodox) & Makar Sankranti (Hindu)
15- Martin Luther King Day (Federal Holiday)
16- Ramadan Starts (Muslim)
31- Tu B'Shevat (Jewish)
February
1- National Freedom Day & National Wear Red Day
10- Laylat al Qadr (Muslim)
11- Maha Shivaratri (Hindu)
13- Chinese New Year & Mardi Gras (Christian)
14- Ash Wednesday (Christian), Lent (Christian), & Valentine's Day
15- Eid al-Fitr (Muslim)
March
1- Purim (Jewish) & Holi (Hindu)
2- Read Across America Day & Employee Appreciation Day
17-St. Patrick's Day
20-Spring Equinox (Season)
25- Palm Sunday (Christian)
29- Maundy Thursday (Christian)
30- Good Friday (Christian)
31- Passover Starts (Jewish) & Holy Saturday (Christian)
April
1- Easter (Christian) & April Fools' Day
2- Easter Monday (Christian)
6- Orthodox Good Friday (Eastern Orthodox)
7- Passover Ends (Jewish)
8- Orthodox Easter (Eastern Orthodox)
11- Yom Hashoah (Jewish)
22- Earth Day
23- Rama Navami (Hindu) & Day of Arafat (Muslim)
24- Eid al-Adha (Muslim)
May
1- May Day (Federal Holiday)
3- National Day of Prayer & Lag BaOmer (Jewish)
5- Cinco de Mayo
10-Ascension Day
15- Muharram (Muslim) & Peace Officers Memorial Day
19- Armed Forces Day
20- Pentecost (Christian) & Shavuot(Jewish)
21-Whit Monday (Christian)
22-National Maritime Day
24- Ashura (Muslim)
28- Memorial Day (Federal Holiday)
31- Corpus Christi (Christian)
Summer 2029
June
14- Flag Day
19- Juneteenth (Federal Holiday)
20-Summer Solstice (Pagan/Wiccan)
July
4- Independence Day (Federal Holiday)
13- Rath Yatra (Hindu)
22- Tisha B'Av (Jewish)
24- The Prophet's Birthday (Muslim)
August
15- Assumption of Mary (Christian)
23- Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)
26-Women's Equality Day
Fall 2029
September
1- Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
3- Labor Day (Federal Holiday)
10-Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
11-Patriot Day
12- Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu)
19- Yom Kippur (Jewish)
22- Fall Equinox (Season)
24- Sukkot (Jewish)
October
1-Shemini Atzeret (Jewish) & Child Health Day
2-Simchat Torah (Jewish)
8-Navratri (Hindu), Indigenous People's Day (Federal Holiday)
16-Dussehra (Hindu)
November
1- All Saints' Day (Christian)
2- All Souls Day (Christian)
5- Diwali (Hindu)
11- Veterans Day (Federal Holiday)
22- Thanksgiving Day (Federal Holiday)
December
2- Advent (Christian) & Hanukkah/Chanukah Starts (Jewish)
4- Isra and Mi'raj (Muslim)
6- St. Nicholas Day (Christian)
9- Hanukkah/Chanukah Ends (Jewish)
21- Winter Solstice (Season)
24- Christmas Eve (Christian)
25- Christmas Day (Federal Holiday)
26- Kwanzaa Starts
31- New Year's Eve (Federal Holiday)
Spring 2030
January
1- New Year's Day (Federal Holiday)
6- Epiphany (Christian) & Ramadan Starts (Muslim)
7- Orthodox Christmas Day (Eastern Orthodox)
14-Orthodox New Year (Eastern Orthodox) & Makar Sankranti (Hindu)
19-Tu B'Shevat (Jewish)
21- Martin Luther King Day (Federal Holiday)
31- Laylat al Qadr (Muslim)
February
1- National Freedom Day & National Wear Red Day
3- Chinese New Year
5- Eid al-Fitr (Muslim)
March
1- Read Across America Day & Employee Appreciation Day
2- Maha Shivaratri (Hindu)
5- Mardi Gras (Christian)
6- Ash Wednesday (Christian) & Lent (Christian)
10- Daylight Saving Time Begins (Daylight Saving)
17- St. Patrick's Day
19- Purim (Jewish)
20 -Holi (Hindu) & Spring Equinox (Season)
April
9-National Library Workers Day
12- Rama Navami (Hindu)
13- Thomas Jefferson Birthday & Day of Arafat (Muslim)
14- Eid al-Adha (Muslim) & Palm Sunday (Christian)
18- Maundy Thursday (Christian) & Passover Starts (Jewish)
19- Good Friday (Christian)
20- Holy Saturday (Christian)
21-Easter (Christian)
22- Easter Monday (Christian) & Earth Day
24-Administrative Professionals Day
25-Passover Ends (Jewish) & Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
26- Orthodox Good Friday (Eastern Orthodox) & Arbor Day
28- Orthodox Easter (Eastern Orthodox)
30- Yom HaShoah (Jewish)
May
1- May Day
2- National Day of Prayer
4- Muharram (Muslim)
5- Cinco de Mayo
13- Ashura (Muslim)
15- Peace Officers Memorial Day
18- Armed Forces Day
21- Lag BaOmer (Jewish)
27- Memorial Day (Federal Holiday)
30- Ascension Day (Christian)
Summer 2030
June
7- Shavuot (Jewish)
9- Pentecost (Christian)
10- Whit Monday (Christian)
14-Flag Day
19- Juneteenth (Federal Holiday)
20- Corpus Christi (Christian)
21- Summer Solstice (Season)
July
3- Rath Yatra (Hindu)
4- Independence Day (Federal Holiday)
13-The Prophet's Birthday (Muslim)
August
8-Tisha B'Av (Jewish)
13- Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)
15- Assumption of Mary (Christian)
21- Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
26- Women's Equality Day
Fall 2030
September
1- Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu)
2- Labor Day (Federal Holiday)
7- Yom Kippur (Jewish)
11- Patriot Day
22- Fall Equinox (Season)
27- Navratri (Hindu)
28- Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
October
6- Dussehra (Hindu)
12- Sukkot (Jewish)
14-Indigenous People's Day (Federal Holiday)
19- Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)
20- Simchat Torah (Jewish)
26- Diwali (Hindu)
November
1- All Saints' Day (Christian)
2- All Souls Day (Christian)
11- Veterans Day (Federal Holiday)
23- Isra and Mi'raj (Muslim)
28- Thanksgiving Day (Federal Holiday)
December
1- Advent (Christian)
6- St Nicholas Day (Christian)
11- Laylat al Bara'at (Muslim)
21- Hanukkah/Chanukah Starts (Jewish) & Winter Solstice (Season)
24- Christmas Eve (Christian)
25- Christmas Day (Federal Holiday)
26- Kwanzaa
28- Hanukkah/Chanukah Final Day (Jewish)
31- New Year's Eve (Federal Holiday)