The University of Puget Sound values the rich diversity of religious traditions, observances and beliefs that are a part of our campus community – supporting students, faculty, and staff of any, all, and no particular religious or spiritual identity. While we have specific policies in place to support students’ religious observances in academic programs (https://www.pugetsound.edu/general-counsel-and-risk-management/policies/campuswide-policies/student-religious-accommodations-academic-courses-or-programs), we encourage all members of our community to build cultural literacy, offer broad hospitality, and otherwise respect and affirm the range of ways in which we find and make meaning in the world.
One way to practice this sort of intentional care is to increase awareness of the ways different religious and spiritual observances may impact work, study, and life schedules throughout the academic year – and, whenever possible, to offer reasonable accommodations to adjust schedules and plans to maximize inclusion in campus life.
To that end, below is a LIMITED list of some of the major observances that tend to have impact on members of our community – imperfectly developed from a blend of campus demographics and the significance of different holidays and festivals.
2026 Major Observances potentially requiring accommodation:
- Ramadan (Islam) - Feb 19-March 20
- 19 Day Fast (Bahai) - March 2-20
- Laliat al-Qadr (Islam) - Mar 16
- Eid al-Fitr (Islam) - Mar 20
- Naw Ruz (Bahai) - Mar 21
- Rama Navami (Hindu) - Mar 26
- Pesach/Passover (Jewish) - Apr 1
- Theravada New Year (Buddhist) - Apr 1
- Easter (Christian (Western) - Apr 5
- Pascha (Christian (Orthodox) - Apr 12
- Ridvan (Bahai) - April 21 - May 2
- Wesak (Buddhist) - May 1
- Beltane (Pagan/Earth Centered) - May 1
- Shavuot (Judaism) - May 22
- Declaration of the Bab (Bahai) - May 24
- Eid al-Adha (Islam) - May 27
- Ascension of Baha’u’llah (Bahai) - May 29
- Martyrdom of the Bab (Bahai) - Jul 10
- Tish B’Av (Judaism) - Jul 23
- Milad un Nabi (Islam) - Aug 26
- Sri Krishna Jayanti (Hinduism) - Sep 4
- Rosh Hashanah (Judaism) - Sep 11
- Yom Kippur (Judaism) - Sep 20
- Sukkot (Judaism) - Sept 25 - Oct 2
- Shemini Atzeret & Simhat Torah (Judaism) - Oct 3
- Navratri (Hinduism) - Oct 11
- Dussehra (Hinduism) - Oct 20
- Installation of the Holy Scriptures as Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh) - Oct 20
- Samhain (Pagan/Wiccan) - Oct 31
- Diwali (Hindu, Sikh, Jain) - Nov 8
- Birth of the Bab (Bahai) - Nov 10
- Birth of Baha’u’llah (Bahai) - Nov 11
- Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikh) - Nov 24
- Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (Sikh) - Nov 24
- Day of the Covenant (Bahai) - Nov 26
- Ascension of Abdul-Baha (Bahai) - Nov 28
- Hanukkah (Jewish) - Dec 5
- Bodhi Day/Rohatsu (Buddhism) - Dec 8
- Yule/Solstice (Pagan/Earth Centered Traditions) - Dec 21
- Christmas (Christian) - Dec 25
If you have questions about any of these observances, please email dwright@pugetsound.edu
