Polices Policies and Procedures
Religious Holidays
Washington State University understands, values and respects the unique spiritual and secular practices and needs of students, faculty, and staff. Doing so is at the core of our commitment to affirming and validating the holistic needs and experience of our community members. It is also our responsibility to comply with the State of Washington SB 5166 from 2019 requiring religious accommodations from academic courses or programs for post-secondary students.
Students
Students, know your rights and how to access them:
For ACADEMIC accommodations: Students who, because of religious obligations, need to be absent from a class, exam, and/or other academic requirement must make arrangements with their instructor(s) within the first two weeks of the semester. This notice must be written – email is best. You do not need to email all instructors, just the one(s) for whose class(es) you are seeking accommodation.
For EMPLOYMENT accommodations: Student employees should work with their supervisor regarding religious accommodation requests. If students have concerns regarding an accommodation requested related to their student employment, they should contact Human Resource Services or Compliance and Civil Rights.
For FOOD/DIETARY accommodations: WSU Dining Services offers a variety of foods to provide an enjoyable, healthy, and safe eating experience for Cougs. Halal, vegetarian, and vegan options are widely available and labeled on menu items. Dining Services staff are always happy to work with other dietary needs, whether they are allergies or related to religious observances. For more information, contact Dining Services’ registered dietitian Alice Ma at alice.ma@wsu.edu.
For HOUSING accommodations: Students who, because of cultural or religious obligations, need housing accommodations in the residence hall environment, are to contact Housing and Residence Life to discuss their needs and what arrangements can be made. Students will work with their hall Residential Educational Director (RED) to arrange specifics. If students have concerns regarding a requested accommodation related to their housing, they should contact Compliance and Civil Rights.
For all of these accommodations, timely and clear communication with instructors, staff, and supervisors will greatly facilitate the accommodation approval process.
Faculty and staff
For FACULTY/COURSE INSTRUCTORS
WSU faculty are encouraged to acknowledge and communicate clearly to the students about their right to “reasonably accommodate students who, due to the observance of religious holidays, expect to be absent or endure a significant hardship during certain days of the course or program” (WA SB5166). Including this in the course syllabus and addressing it at the start of each semester will help guarantee a fully informed student population. Faculty should use the approved syllabus statement about the required religious accommodation policy.
For SUPERVISORS OF STUDENTS
Supervisors with questions regarding religious accommodation requests should contact Human Resource Services.
WSU Interfaith Calendar
This calendar of WSU holidays, traditional observances, and major days of religious significance covers the 2021-2022 academic year. You can use the calendar to help identify classes, exams, activities, or events which may intersect with religious observances.
This calendar was compiled and is managed by the WSU Interfaith Working Group. If you do not see a significant religious or spiritual practice reflected here please contact interfaith.council@wsu.edu.
Interfaith Calendar 2022-23
Eid al-Adha - Sacrifice Day | Islam | Jun. 28-29, 2023 | Wednesday - Thursday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Independence Day Holiday | All University Holiday | Jul. 4, 2023 | Tuesday | ||
Martyrdom of the Bab | Baha'i | Jul. 9, 2023 | Sunday | ||
al-Hijra - New Year begins | Islam | Jul. 18-19, 2023 | Tuesday - Wednesday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Ashura | Islam | Jul. 27-28, 2023 | Thursday - Friday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. |
Interfaith Calendar 2023-24
Labor Day | All University Holiday | Sept. 4, 2023 | Monday | ||
Rosh Hashanah | Jewish | Sept. 15-17, 2023 | Friday - Sunday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | Occasion on which the precept of a particular tradition, and the practice of many of its adherents, includes significant restrictions on academic activity. |
Yom Kippur | Jewish | Sept. 24-25, 2023 | Sunday - Monday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | Occasion on which the precept of a particular tradition, and the practice of many of its adherents, includes significant restrictions on academic activity. |
Sukkot | Jewish | Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 2023 | Friday - Friday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | Occasion on which the precept of a particular tradition, and the practice of many of its adherents, includes significant restrictions on academic activity (First 2 days) |
Mawlid an Nabi | Islam | Sept. 26-27, 2023 | Tuesday - Wednesday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Shemini Atzeret | Jewish | Oct. 6-8, 2023 | Friday - Sunday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | Occasion on which the precept of a particular tradition, and the practice of many of its adherents, includes significant restrictions on academic activity. |
Simchat Torah | Jewish | Oct. 7-8, 2023 | Saturday - Sunday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | Occasion on which the precept of a particular tradition, and the practice of many of its adherents, includes significant restrictions on academic activity. |
Navaratri | Hindu | Oct. 15-24, 2023 | Sunday - Tuesday | ||
Birth of the Báb/Birth of Baha'u'llah | Baha'i | Oct. 16-17, 2023 | Monday - Tuesday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Veteran's Day (Observed) | All University Holiday | Nov. 10, 2023 | Friday | ||
Diwali (Deepavali) | Hindu-Jain-Sikh | Nov. 12, 2023 | Sunday | ||
Thanksgiving Day | All University Holiday | Nov. 23, 2023 | Thursday | ||
Native American Heritage Day | All University Holiday | Nov. 24, 2023 | Friday | ||
Day of the Covenant | Baha'i | Nov. 25-26, 2023 | Saturday - Sunday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Birthday of Guru Nanak Jayanti | Sikh | Nov. 27, 2023 | Monday | ||
Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá | Baha'i | Nov. 27-28, 2023 | Monday - Tuesday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Hanukkah | Jewish | Dec. 7-15, 2023 | Thursday - Friday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) | Buddhism | Dec. 8, 2023 | Friday | ||
Immaculate Conception of Mary | Catholic Christian | Dec. 8, 2023 | Friday | ||
Christmas Eve | Christian | Dec. 24, 2023 | Sunday | ||
Christmas | Christian | Dec. 25, 2023 | Monday | ||
Spring Term 2024 | |||||
New Year's Day | All University Holiday | Jan. 1, 2024 | Monday | ||
Martin Luther King Jr. Day | All University Holiday | Jan. 15, 2024 | Monday | ||
President's Day | WSU Class Holiday | Feb. 19, 2024 | Monday | ||
Maha Shivaratri | Hindu | Mar. 8, 2024 | Friday | ||
Ramadan | Islam | Mar. 10-Apr. 9, 2024 | Sunday - Tuesday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Naw-Rúz (New Year) | Baha'i | Mar. 19-20, 2024 | Tuesday - Wednesday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Purim | Jewish | Mar. 23-24, 2024 | Saturday - Sunday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Palm Sunday | Christian | Mar. 24, 2024 | Sunday | ||
Memorial of Jesus’ Death | Jehovah's Witness Christian | Mar. 24, 2024 | Sunday | ||
Holi | Hindu | Mar. 25, 2024 | Monday | ||
Good Friday | Christian | Mar. 29, 2024 | Friday | ||
Easter Sunday | Christian | Mar. 31, 2024 | Sunday | ||
Laylat al-Qadr | Islam | Apr. 5, 2024 | Saturday | ||
Eid al Fitr - Ramadan ends | Islam | Apr. 8-9, 2023 | Monday - Tuesday | ||
Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) | Sikh | Apr. 13, 2024 | Saturday | ||
Rama Navami | Hindu | Apr. 17, 2024 | Wednesday | ||
Ridvan | Baha'i | Apr. 20-May 2, 2024 | Saturday - Thursday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Mahavir Jayanti | Jain | Apr. 21, 2024 | Sunday | ||
Pesach (Passover) | Jewish | Apr. 22-30, 2024 | Monday - Tuesday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | Occasion on which the precept of a particular tradition, and the practice of many of its adherents, includes significant restrictions on academic activity (First 2 days) |
Summer Term 2024 | |||||
Pentecost | Orthodox Christian | May 19, 2024 | Sunday | ||
Declaration of the Bab | Baha'i | May 22-23, 2024 | Wednesday - Thursday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Memorial Day | All University Holiday | May 27, 2024 | Monday | ||
Ascension of Baha'u'llah | Baha'i | May 27-28, 2024 | Monday - Tuesday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Shavuot | Jewish | Jun. 11-13, 2024 | Tuesday - Thursday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | Occasion on which the precept of a particular tradition, and the practice of many of its adherents, includes significant restrictions on academic activity. |
Eid al-Adha - Sacrifice Day | Islam | Jun. 16-17, 2024 | Sunday - Monday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Independence Day Holiday | All University Holiday | Jul. 4, 2024 | Thursday | ||
al-Hijra - New Year begins | Islam | Jul. 7-8, 2024 | Sunday - Monday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. | |
Martyrdom of the Bab | Baha'i | Jul. 9, 2024 | Tuesday | ||
Ashura | Islam | Jul. 16-17, 2024 | Tuesday - Wednesday | Holiday commences at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown or nightfall of the end date. |