Religious Observances
UConn recognizes and welcomes the variety of religious and cultural observances present in our community. We believe that meaningful inclusion plays a critical role in the well-being of all members of the UConn community. In accordance with this mission, we advise faculty and staff to take dates of religious holidays into consideration when planning events or setting academic deadlines.
A detailed calendar of religious holidays and culturally significant events can be found below. We also encourage you to learn more about individual observances at the Interfaith Calendar. These resources provided to assist faculty and staff in planning activities and deadlines. This list is non-exhaustive, and requests to accommodate sincerely held religious practices must be assessed on an individualized basis. The University’s Religious Accommodation Policy provides further information and guidance.
Guidance for Religious Accommodations in an Academic Settings
Consistent with state law, any student who is unable to attend classes on a particular day or days or at a particular time of day because of the tenets of a sincerely held religious practice or belief may be excused from any academic activities on such particular day or days or at such particular time of day.
Students requesting a religious accommodation should understand the following:
- Requests must be made directly to the instructor with as much notice as possible.
- Students are responsible for obtaining the materials and information provided during any class(es) missed.
- Undergraduate students must work with Dean of Students to reschedule finals; graduate students (excluding law, medicine, and dental medicine) must work directly with their faculty member to reschedule finals.
Faculty and Course Instructors Responsibilities:
- It is the responsibility of course instructors to make available to each student who is absent from academic activities because of a sincerely held religious practice or belief an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study or work requirements which has been missed because of such absence.
- Course instructors should make every attempt to respect the privacy of students when making accommodations and should not ask the student for proof that their religious practices or beliefs are sincerely held. Course instructors can consult with their department head or dean for assistance.
Students with concerns are encouraged to discuss the matter with their course instructor or department head. Undergraduate students may also contact the Dean of Students Office for additional assistance, and graduate students may consult with The Graduate School (excluding law, medicine, and dental medicine students).
Any individual (students, faculty, and staff) with questions or concerns may also contact the Office of Institutional Equity at equity@uconn.edu or (860) 486-2943 or refer to equity.uconn.edu for further information.
Spring 2022 Religious & Cultural Important Dates
Dates marked in bold are major holidays for which accommodations are most requested. This list is not exhaustive and requests for accommodations relating to any religious observances must be assessed on an individualized basis pursuant to the University’s Religious Accommodation Policy.
We also encourage you to learn more about individual observances at the Interfaith Calendar.
*Begins at sundown
^Dietary restrictions or meal adjustments
| January 1, 2022 | Gantan-sai | Shinto |
| January 6, 2022 | Epiphany/Twelfth Night/Three Kings Day | Christian (Roman Catholic & Protestant) |
| January 7, 2022 | Christmas | Eastern Orthodox Christian |
| February 1, 2022 | Lunar New Year | Confucian, Taoist, Buddhist |
| February 1 - 2, 2022 | Imbolc/Candlemas | Pagan, Wiccan, Druid |
| February 16, 2022 | Māgha Pūjā Day | Buddhist |
| March 2, 2022 | Ash Wednesday^ | Christian (Roman Catholic and Protestant) |
| March 16 – March 17, 2022 | Purim*^ | Jewish |
| March 18, 2022 | Holi | Hindu |
| March 20, 2022 | Ostara/Alban Eilir/Spring Equinox | Pagan, Wiccan, Druid |
| March 20 – 21, 2022 | Naw Ruz* | Baha’i |
| April 2 – May 2, 2022 | Ramadan^* | Islamic |
| April 10, 2022 | Palm Sunday | Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Christianity) |
| April 14, 2022 | Vaisakhi | Sikh |
| April 14, 2022 | Maundy Thursday | Christian (Roman Catholic and Protestant) |
| April 15, 2022 | Good Friday^ | Christian (Roman Catholic and Protestant) |
| April 15 – April 23, 2022 | Passover*^ | Jewish |
| April 17, 2022 | Easter Sunday | Christian (Roman Catholic and Protestant) |
| April 22, 2022 | Holy Friday/Good Friday^ | Eastern Orthodox Christian |
| April 24, 2022 | Pascha/Easter | Eastern Orthodox Christian |
| April 27 – 28, 2022 | Yom HaSho’ah*^ | Jewish |
| May 1, 2022 | Beltane | Pagan, Wiccan, Druid |
| May 2 – 3, 2022 | Eid al-Fitr^* | Islamic |
| May 8, 2022 | Buddha Day/Visakha Puja^ | Buddhist |
| May 29, 2022 | Ascension of the Baha’ullah | Baha’i |
| June 4 – 6, 2022 | Shavuot*^ | Jewish |
| June 21, 2022 | Litha/Midsomer/Alban Hefin/Summer Solstice | Pagan, Wiccan, Druid |
Additional Information:
UConn Religious Accommodation Policy: https://policy.uconn.edu/2018/08/01/religious-accommodation-policy/
FAQs Regarding Religious Accommodations: https://policy.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/243/2019/01/Religious-Accommodation-Policy-FAQ-1-17-19.pdf
Office of Institutional Equity: https://equity.uconn.edu/
UConn Faith: https://faith.studentaffairs.uconn.edu/
UConn Cultural Centers: https://office.diversity.uconn.edu/cultural-centers/
Dean of Students – Rescheduling Final Exams (Undergraduates): https://dos.uconn.edu/reschedule-finals/
The Graduate School: https://grad.uconn.edu/gspa/
Glossary of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Terms: https://diversity.uconn.edu/glossary/
Interfaith Calendar Definitions: http://www.interfaith-calendar.org/calendardefinitions.htm