Guidance for Religious Observance for Students

At the heart of Gettysburg College’s mission to provide students with a diverse and inclusive learning environment is its commitment to honoring the worth and dignity of all people. This mission extends to the celebration of and respect for our community’s rich religious diversity. Our faculty, staff, and students represent a multitude of religions and faith-based traditions – each with their own set of beliefs, practices, and observances. Gettysburg College understands that religion and faith often play a deeply personal and distinctive role in the lives of members of our community.

In accordance with our mission, the College makes a reasonable effort to support students seeking an accommodation for religious observance. Students who anticipate needing an accommodation for religious observance are encouraged to talk with their faculty, coaches, and supervisors about minimizing conflict with classes and assignments, as well as work or athletic requirements.

Students may request an accommodation for any religious observance.

Consistent with the Policy on Class Attendance published in the Gettysburg College Faculty Handbook, class absences will be addressed on a case-by-case basis and students are responsible for making up any work missed as the result of an accommodation. As soon as reasonably possible, in order to provide sufficient time to discuss, each student has the responsibility to communicate with their course instructors about religious observances that are likely to conflict directly with academic coursework or assignments. Students are also responsible for fulfilling athletic and work commitments and should communicate with athletic coaches and work supervisors to discuss anticipated absences for religious observance.

If a student will be seeking accommodation due to religious observance, students should be prepared to discuss the following with their faculty, coaches, and supervisors:

  • Nature of religious observance
  • Date(s) and times
  • Specific accommodation needed to support observance
  • Timeframe to complete missed work
  • Any special considerations

Students who need support or would like to discuss how to communicate with faculty, coaches, or supervisors may contact Michael Bright, Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and College Chaplain at (717) 337-6280 or mbright@gettysburg.edu. Apart from helping students address absences due to religious observances, discussion between students, faculty, and staff will help foster passionate curiosity about the many different religious traditions represented in our community and will create opportunities for enriching interfaith dialogue and exploration.

The College wishes to draw attention to the following observances which are time sensitive in nature. Please review the Religious and Spiritual Life calendar for additional information:

Calendar of religious holidays

Current year: These dates are for the 2025–26 Academic Year.

Holidays in 2025

HolidayDatesFaith
First of MuharramJune 27Islam
AshuraJuly 4–5Islam
Krishna JanmashtamiAugust 16Hinduism
Ganesh ChaturthiAugust 27Hinduism
Rosh Hashanah (New Year)September 22–24Judaism
NavratriSeptember 22–October 2Hinduism
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)October 1–2Judaism
SukkotOctober 6–13Judaism
Shemini Atzeret / Simchat TorahOctober 13–14Judaism
DiwaliOctober 20Hinduism
Day of the DeadNovember 1–2Mexico / Catholicism
All Saints DayNovember 1Christianity
AdventNovember 30–December 24Christianity
Feast of the Immaculate ConceptionDecember 8Christianity
Bodhi Day / Rohatsu (Japan)December 8Buddhism
Our Lady of GuadalupeDecember 12Christianity
HanukkahDecember 14–22Judaism
ChristmasDecember 25Christianity
KwanzaaDecember 26–January 1African–American
Feast of the Holy FamilyDecember 28Christianity

Holidays in 2026

HolidayDatesFaith
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin MaryJanuary 1Christianity
Christmas (Orthodox)January 7Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Lunar New YearFebruary 17Confucianism / Taoism / Buddhism
Maha ShivaratriFebruary 15Hinduism
Ramadan begins (30 days)February 17–March 19Islam
Ash Wednesday / Beginning of LentFebruary 18Christianity
PurimMarch 2–3 (begins at sundown)Judaism
HoliMarch 3Hinduism
Laylat al QadrMarch 16Islam
Eid al FitrMarch 19–20Islam
Orthodox Great Lent beginsFebruary 23–April 11Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Passover / PesachApril 1–9 (begins at sundown April 1)Judaism
Paschal TriduumApril 9–11Christianity (Catholic / Protestant)
Good FridayApril 3Christianity
Easter (Western)April 5Christianity
Orthodox Good FridayApril 10Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Pascha (Orthodox Easter)April 12Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Yom HaShoahApril 14Judaism
ShavuotMay 22Judaism
PentecostMay 24 (Western & Orthodox)Christianity
Eid al-AdhaMay 27Islam

Students and student organizations are not permitted to sponsor campus wide or mandatory events on the dates/ times noted above, with the exception of educational events where the meaning and significance of religious observances are shared with the broader campus community.