Elon University embraces the mission of an academic community that influences and transforms mind, body, and spirit. The University has specific guidance in place for how we respond to absences and accommodations that are necessary due to religious observance. According to this guidance, students may request an excused absence for approved religious holidays by following the specific guidelines listed below.

The Religious Observance Notification Form is now closed.

Policy

The following policy guiding procedure for the observance of recognized holidays is consistent with and complementary to the University’s mission.

As noted in the policy found in the Faculty Handbook, “Absence from class due to observance of a religious holiday is excused according to University policy.”

  1. This policy reflects the University’s commitment to being responsive to our increasing diversity and to encourage students’ spiritual development.
  2. The Religious Observance Policy requires planning for absences by completing and submitting the online Religious Observance Notification Form within the first three weeks of class, or by Thursday, February 19, 2026 for the Spring 2026 semester.
  3. Students must discuss their planned absences with their faculty before the holiday takes place, and should make sure that agreements for making up any missed work are clear. The student should consult their academic dean if an instructor is unable or unwilling to grant the request.

Procedure

The religious observance notification procedure is based on the operating principle that students will act in accordance with the Elon University Honor Code. This procedure can only be used to notify an instructor of an absence from class necessitated by observance on a religious holiday.

  1. Since religious holidays are known in advance, students are expected to formally notify their instructor that they will miss class, or a required class-related activity, in order to observe a religious holiday by completing the Religious Observance Notification Form (RONF). Note that the form may take a few seconds to load.
  2. Students must submit the RONF online. The deadline for submitting documentation is Thursday, February 19, 2026 for the Spring 2026 semester, three weeks after the start of the semester.
  3. Students must make prior arrangements with individual instructors for completion of any work missed during an absence.

Guidance around religious accommodation

While students are expected to initiate and follow-up on communication with their faculty, we also encourage faculty to consider an equity-minded approach that does not put an undue burden on students. Examples of strategies that ensure respect for students’ diverse faith traditions is woven into course design include:

  • Not scheduling exams, presentations, or major assignments on or immediately following commonly requested major religious observances
  • Making notes, recordings, or other learning resources available to all students for instructional sessions that fall on the date of a recognized religious observance
  • Where appropriate, having an open dialogue with your students about religious observance

Religious holidays for Spring 2026

 

Monday February 2, 2026 Imbolc (Nature Traditions/Pagan)
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Lunar New Year (Pan-Asian traditions including Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and some Christian communities)
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Ash Wednesday, Lent Begins (Catholic, Protestant)
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 Holi (Hindu)
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Mahavira-Jayanti (Jain)
Wednesday April 1, 2026 from 4 pm Passover eve (Jewish)
Thursday April 2, 2026 Passover Day 1 (Jewish)
Friday, April 3, 2026 Passover Day 2 (Jewish)
Thursday, April 2, 2026 Maundy (Holy) Thursday (Catholic, Protestant)
Friday, April 3, 2026 Good Friday (Catholic, Protestant)
Tuesday April 7, 2026 from 4 pm Passover Day 7 eve (Jewish)
Wednesday April 8, 2026 Passover Day 7 (Jewish)
Thursday, April 9, 2026 Passover Day 8 (Jewish)
Friday, March 20, 2026 Eid al-Fitr (Muslim)
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Vaisakhi (Sikh)

Note for students: When you submit the RONF, both you and your instructor will be notified by email, and copies will be the academic dean. When completing the form, you may find it useful to consult OnTrack, where you can view your class schedule to obtain the name and the number of the course and the name of the course instructor. Your signature on the form affirms your compliance with the Elon University Honor Code.

Given the time limitations inherent in completing end-of-semester assignments or making up a missed final exam, this procedure cannot be used during the final exam period. You are expected to take final examinations at the scheduled times and to complete end-of-semester work by the deadlines set by the instructor. In the event that a religious holiday should fall during exam week, contact your academic dean as soon as possible, before the scheduled assignments or exam. There may also be certain circumstances (a concert or a performance for example) which cannot be made up. In this case, you may be advised to take that specific course in another school semester.

Please contact Hillary Zaken, Director of Multifaith Programming and Engagement, with any questions about this policy.

Religious holidays for Fall 2025 (archived)

 

Thursday, September 4, 2025 from 4 pm Mawlid al-Nabi eve (Muslim)
Friday, September 5, 2025 Mawlid al-Nabi (Muslim)
Monday, September 22, 2025 from 4 pm Erev Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 Rosh Hashanah Day 1 (Jewish)
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 Rosh Hashanah Day 2 (Jewish)
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 4 pm Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidrei (Jewish)
Thursday, October 2, 2025 Yom Kippur (Jewish)
Monday, October 6, 2025 from 4 pm Erev Sukkot (Jewish)
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Sukkot Day 1 (Jewish)
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 Sukkot Day 2 (Jewish)
Monday, October 13, 2025 from 4 pm Shemini Azeret eve (Jewish)
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Simchat Torah (Jewish)
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Simchat Torah (Jewish)
Monday, October 20, 2025 Diwali (Hindu)
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 Birth of the Báb (Baha’i)
Thursday, October 23, 2025 Birth of Bahá’u’lláh (Baha’i)
Friday, October 31, 2025 from 4 pm Samhain eve (Pagan, Wiccan)
Saturday, November 1, 2025 Samhain (Pagan, Wiccan)