Spring 2024 Religious Holidays

27 February 2024

Dear campus community, 

We are coming up on a Spring season when our colleagues and friends from a variety of cultural communities and faiths will gather to share traditions, celebrations, and connect for deep reflection. For Muslim community members, Ramadan is expected to begin the evening of March 10th and conclude the evening of April 9th and the observance of Eid al-Fitr on April 10th. Many Muslim community members will be fasting during this time and changes in sleeping, eating, and physical activity levels may be affected. For Jewish community members, observance of Passover begins the evening of April 22nd and continues through the evening of April 30th. Many Christian community members are currently observing Lent which culminates with Easter on March 31st. Across these observances, usual schedules are likely to be impacted throughout the day and into the evening. 

Students and employees have already engaged in cultural and religious observations and will continue through the Spring semester. While there is a convergence of several of these practices during this time of year, this is a reminder to navigate and negotiate with each other with kindness and thoughtfulness as we move through these observances throughout the year. Please keep in mind that modern schedules may shape the timing of celebrations and get-togethers. Faculty and students specifically can refer to University Policy S14-7, Accommodation to Students’ Religious Holidays [pdf]for guidance. Employees can refer to the University Personnel page on Vacation and Personal Holidays. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Mosaic Cross-Cultural Center post additional information throughout the year on social media. Whether one participates or not in any of these religious observances, we should be respectful of those whose beliefs and practices may differ from our own. 

Thank you for all that you do in creating a community at SJSU where fellow Spartans have a sense of belonging at SJSU. 

Sincerely, 

Kristin Nicole Dukes, PhD 
Chief Diversity Officer 
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

Office of Diversity Equity & Inclusion Social Media 
Facebook: SJSU Office of Diversity 
Instagram: @sjsudiversityoffice 
Twitter:  @DiversitySJSU 

MOSAIC Social Media 
Facebook: SJSU Mosaic Cross Cultural Center 
Instagram: @sjsumosaic 
Twitter: @SJSUmosaic