From: Patricia Price <patricia.price@qc.cuny.edu> Date: Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 11:04 AM To: QC Chairs Spring 2023 <qcchairs@CUNY907.onmicrosoft.com> Cc: Daniel Weinstein <Daniel.Weinstein@qc.cuny.edu>, Bobbie Kabuto <Bobbie.Kabuto@qc.cuny.edu>, William Mcclure <William.Mcclure@qc.cuny.edu>, Ekaterina Pechenkina <Kate.Pechenkina@qc.cuny.edu>, Jerima Dewese <Jerima.DeWese@qc.cuny.edu>, Meghan Healey <Meghan.Healey@qc.cuny.edu>, Jennifer Jarvis <Jennifer.Jarvis@qc.cuny.edu> Subject: Fw: End of March/April Religious/Ethnic Holiday Schedule Dear Department Chairs: Please familiarize yourselves with the CUNY policy and dates below, and encourage your faculty to be supportive of students who observe these traditions. Thank you, Patricia Patricia Price, PhD (she/her/hers) Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Queens College, City University of New York [Professional Staff Congress | Queens College] ________________________________ From: Luz Jimenez <Luz.Jimenez@cuny.edu> Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2023 10:41 AM To: AColeman <acoleman@mec.cuny.edu>; anne.lopes <anne.lopes@brooklyn.cuny.edu>; 'apease@jjay.cuny.edu' <apease@jjay.cuny.edu>; Billie Gastic <bgasticrosado@lagcc.cuny.edu>; 'dara.byrne@mhc.cuny.edu' <dara.byrne@mhc.cuny.edu>; Erwin Wong <ewong@bmcc.cuny.edu>; G Everett <severett@gc.cuny.edu>; Gladys Schrynemakers <Gladys.Schrynemakers@slu.cuny.edu>; Jennifer Sparrow <jennifer.sparrow@cuny.edu>; Joanne Russell <Joanne.Russell@kbcc.cuny.edu>; Judith Weiss <Judith.Weiss@cuny.edu>; 'judith.watson@journalism.cuny.edu' <judith.watson@journalism.cuny.edu>; Lester Sandres Rapalo <lester.sandresrapalo@bcc.cuny.edu>; Linda Essig <linda.essig@baruch.cuny.edu>; Marilyn Auerbach <Marilyn.Auerbach@sph.cuny.edu>; Michael Steiper <Michael.Steiper@csi.cuny.edu>; 'mp4009@hunter.cuny.edu' <mp4009@hunter.cuny.edu>; Nicola Blake <Nicola.Blake@guttman.cuny.edu>; Pamela Brown <PAMELA.BROWN00@citytech.cuny.edu>; Patricia Price <patricia.price@qc.cuny.edu>; Peter Nwosu <Peter.Nwosu@lehman.cuny.edu>; 'raquel.gabriel@law.cuny.edu' <raquel.gabriel@law.cuny.edu>; Sandra Palmer <SPalmer@qcc.cuny.edu>; SWANG <swang@hostos.cuny.edu>; Tony Liss <tliss@ccny.cuny.edu>; 'allison.lichter@gmail.com' <allison.lichter@gmail.com> Cc: Ian James <Ian.James@cuny.edu>; Denise Maybank <Denise.Maybank@cuny.edu>; Wendy Hensel <Wendy.Hensel@cuny.edu>; Alice Wong <Alice.Wong@cuny.edu> Subject: End of March/April Religious/Ethnic Holiday Schedule Dear Colleagues, Below is the end of March/April Religious/Ethnic Holiday calendar. Please note that many holidays in this time frame include fasting or other religious practices associated with dietary traditions, including a sunrise to sunset fast as part of the holy month of Ramadan. In addition, please note that while several religious holidays and observances coincide with CUNY's spring break week, others do not. We greatly appreciate your care and concern. As a reminder, CUNY's policy on religious accommodation allows students to request and be granted academic and attendance accommodations based on religious belief. A link to the policy is posted here: VI. Religious Accommodations – The City University of New York (cuny.edu)<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__nam02.safelinks.protect... > VI. Religious Accommodations A. Requests for Accommodations 1. Students requesting a religious accommodation should contact the Office for Student Affairs at the College or unit in which they are enrolled. The Chief Student Affairs Officer, or a designee, and the student will engage in an interactive process with the goal of finding an acceptable accommodation. 2. Consistent with New York State Education Law § 224-a, students who are absent from school because of a religious belief will be given the equivalent opportunity, without any additional fee charged, to register for classes or make up any examination, study or work requirements missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. As a frame of reference for anticipating student requests for religious accommodations, CUNY's Interfaith Council has developed the following "Religious & Ethnic Holidays Calendar," which serves as a helpful resource (https://www.cuny.edu/current-students/student-affairs/religious-ethnic-holiday-calendar/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com_-3Furl-3Dhttps-253A-252F-252Fwww.cuny.edu-252Fcurrent-2Dstudents-252Fstudent-2Daffairs-252Freligious-2Dethnic-2Dholiday-2Dcalendar-252F-26data-3D05-257C01-257CJames.Lowry-2540qc.cuny.edu-257C1bc7aa0d71a34a1bb8f708db313011f2-257C6f60f0b35f064e099715989dba8cc7d8-257C0-257C0-257C638157854772671593-257CUnknown-257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0-253D-257C3000-257C-257C-257C-26sdata-3DRvahTGwZiosQXtfGiO-252BpvWGBCSVKyZ7PR-252B-252Fx79SkG9M-253D-26reserved-3D0&d=DwIGaQ&c=mRWFL96tuqj9V0Jjj4h40ddo0XsmttALwKjAEOCyUjY&r=3iVEnovz3bmbqYQmE8_QzZNBaHAY81ErJq1u1M9EpZA&m=9RhJQIfQTDoLC7K5piC45XQ_PuHmhxjBYq4-MKL5QTuDoY4gzW6_UZPTbzuQNL3r&s=aEOsgUvoE-4g-N6bE0y8eQZIIqVo7JKDZ7x7agbk8j0&e= >).<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__nam02.safelinks.protect... > This collaborative effort of faith leaders associated with our University gives us a good base of information to expand our knowledge of important observances and confirm student requests for accommodations. Please be mindful that some holidays' observances may impact activity on days immediately before or following the official date. While not necessarily an exhaustive list, the chart below highlights the days of religious observance at the end of March and the month of April. For questions about CUNY's policy on religious accommodations or to add additional observances, don't hesitate to get in touch with Sophia McGee, Director of Intercultural Student Engagement and Dialogue, at sophia.mcgee@cuny.edu<mailto:sophia.mcgee@cuny.edu>. Thank you for your support and enduring commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at CUNY. Sincerely, Office of Student Affairs City University of New York Religious Group Holiday Description Obligation/restriction affiliated with the holidays Dates Traditions or Practices Muslim Ramadan The ninth month of the Islamic lunar year and the time in which Muslims observe fast from sunrise to sunset to commemorate the first revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad. Many Muslims observe a fasting requirement from sunrise to sunset for the full month. This includes abstaining from drinking water or other beverages. Please be aware that individuals observing Ramadan may be more fatigued than usual. Please refrain from requiring presence where food is being served during fasting hours, and be generally mindful of being respectful of individual needs. 3/22 eve-4/21 eve Individuals who identify as Muslim often fast from sunrise to sundown. It is considered a time for introspection, including working on drawing closer to God, engaging in service activities and helping the poor. Iftar, or the breaking of the fast at sunset, is often a communal activity celebrated with loved ones and other community members. Hindu Rama Navami Celebrates the birthday of Rama, king of ancient India, hero of the epic Ramayana, and seventh incarnation of Vishnu. Some individuals will observe various fasting rituals; either fasting for a day, fasting from midnight to noon, or only eating one meal. 3/30 Celebrations take place in homes and also at Temples. Observers chant Bajhans, or devotional songs, and will often chant and reenact the full Ramayana, "Rama's Journey". Christian Catholic/Protestant Palm Sunday Observed the Sunday before Easter to commemorate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. 4/2 Palm Sunday is often celebrated with processions and distribution of blessed palm leaves. Buddhist Theravada New Year In countries that practice Theravada Buddhism, the New Year is celebrated on the first full moon day in April. 4/5 Buddhists reflect on the past year, make resolutions for the coming one, and perform special ceremonies. A water festival is often part of this holiday, and rituals engaged in during this festival symbolize purity and the washing away of bad karma. There is a practice of giving alms during this time. Another popular activity during Theravada New Year is building sandcastles, which is said to bring good luck. The New Year. Families gather for food, celebration, and conversation. Jewish Passover Commemorates the Exodus of Jews from slavery in Egypt. This holiday generally falls over spring break for CUNY students, but please be aware that there are specific practices, along with specific dietary restrictions that are observed during this eight day holiday that could affect student presence or participation in class or campus activity. 4/5 eve-4/13 eve Jewish individuals often celebrate the first and second seder, a ritual meal that tells the story of the redemption of ancient Hebrew slaves from Egypt. It is a tradition to both rid the house of, and refrain from eating, any leavened foods for the duration of the eight days of Passover. Special services occur in synagogue if individuals choose to participate. Christian Catholic/Protestant Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday The Thursday before Easter, Holy Thursday commemorates the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. 4/6 Also known as Holy Thursday. The Catholic Pope marks the day by washing and kissing the feet of twelve people representing the twelve Apostles. Christian Catholic/Protestant Good Friday Known as Holy Friday in Eastern Christianity, the day Jesus was crucified. Catholics often engage in different kinds of fasting, from not eating at all to not eating meat. This holiday generally falls over spring break for CUNY students, but please be aware that there are specific practices, along with specific dietary restrictions that are observed during this holiday that could affect student presence or participation in class or campus activity. 4/7 Individuals often attend special church services and prayer vigils. Christian Catholic/Protestant Holy Saturday The day before Easter, Holy Saturday commemorates the day that Jesus Christ's body lay in the tomb. 4/8 Individuals prepare for the Easter Holiday, and also often attend a vigil service on Saturday night. Christian Catholic/Protestant Easter Known as Pascha in Eastern Christianity, the celebration of Jesus being raised from the dead. 4/9 Individuals attend special Easter services. Other traditions are egg decorating and hunts (eating eggs was traditionally forbidden during holy week; this marks the end of that period)and festive meals. Jewish Yom Hashoah Holocaust Remembrance Day 4/17 eve – 4/18 eve Commemorations range from synagogue services to communal vigils and educational programs. Muslim Laila al Qadr Commemorates the night that the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is known as the "Night of Power." Often set on the 27th day of Ramadan, Sunnis may observe it on the 21st, 23rd, 25th or 29th and Shīʿite (Shiite) observe it on the 19th, 21st or 23rd day of Ramadan. Many Muslims observe a fasting requirement from sunrise to sunset for the full month of Ramadan. This includes abstaining from drinking water or other beverages. Please be aware that individuals observing Ramadan may be more fatigued than usual. Please refrain from requiring presence where food is being served during fasting hours and be generally mindful of being respectful of individual needs. 4/18 In Islam, Laila Al Qadr is the holiest night of the year. Muslims try to stay awake for the whole night to pray and study the Qur'an. It is seen as a time of thanksgiving for the Qur'an. Bahai 1st Day of Ridwan This annual festival marks the anniversary of the days Baha'u'llah spent along the River Tigris in Baghdad. This is a 12-day festival – the first, ninth, and twelfth days hold special significance Many in the Bahai community will refrain from work and school during the three holiest days of Ridwan. 4/28 eve – 4/29 eve It is common for Bahai individuals and their communities to engage in open festive gatherings and prayer. The Universal House of Justice sends out a message to all practicing Bahai. Muslim Eid al Fitr Marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, and the holiest month in Islamic tradition. It literally means "breaking the fast." Both Eid holidays are regular class days at CUNY. It is therefore important to adhere to CUNY policy for students who will need to be absent to observe this important holiday and to break their month long fast. 4/21 eve-4/22 eve During Eid celebrations, Muslims attend prayer, eat traditional foods, give gifts, and spend time with their families. Bahai 9th Day of Ridwan This annual festival marks the anniversary of the days Baha'u'llah spent along the River Tigris in Baghdad. This is a 12 day festival – the first, ninth, and twelfth days hold special significance. Many in the Bahai community will refrain from work and school during the three holiest days of Ridwan. 4/28 eve-4/29 eve Individuals celebrate with gatherings filled with prayer and readings from the Bahai writings.
