Dear Vanderbilt community,
We are writing today with a reminder that many religious and spiritual traditions represented on our campus will be observing significant spring holy days.
This reminder is intended to be a tool to assist students, faculty and staff in being proactive when planning academic or work responsibilities. Individuals may work with their college, school or other administrative unit to address questions related to observance of their holy days. Accommodations for religious observances may be requested through the Equal Opportunity and Access Office, if needed. Staff from the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life or the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion also are available to respond to questions about religious observance and practice. However, it may be helpful for students, faculty and staff to revisit the policy of their college, school or other administrative unit that addresses religious observance.
Our Muslim community members will be fasting for the holy month of Ramadan beginning Friday evening, April 1, through the evening of Monday, May 2. This period includes the end of classes and exams at most of Vanderbilt’s colleges and schools. Muslim students and employees will be fasting (abstaining from food and water) for an extended time during daylight hours, which may result in less stamina. For evening events, provide food accommodations as requested (halal dietary restrictions apply).
At the same time, our Jewish community members will be observing Pesach, or Passover. There are important observances on the evening of Friday, April 15, and all day Saturday, April 16, and Sunday, April 17; the evening of Thursday, April 21, and all day Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23, are also non-work days. Provide food accommodations as requested (kosher dietary restrictions apply; the use of leavening is prohibited).
Many other faith traditions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Bahá’i and Earth-based spiritualities, also observe important holy days through the end of the academic year. The 2021–22 Vanderbilt Holy Days Calendar may be found here.
As this semester ends, and many religious and spiritual traditions observed on this campus celebrate renewal, we wish you all the best.
Dr. André L. Churchwell
Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer for Vanderbilt University
Christopher Ross Donald, M.Div., Ed.D.
University Chaplain and Director, Center for Spiritual and Religious Life