From the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Creating inclusive environments: Learning more about spring religious holidays

As we begin the new year and spring semester, it is a good time to keep in mind that many students, staff, and faculty participate in various events important to their particular religions. UGA issued a memo about this at the beginning of fall semester, emphasizing that the institutional practice is to make every reasonable effort to allow members of the University community to observe their religious holidays without academic penalty. (Read more about the policy).

As faculty and staff, we may want to learn more about these events in order to foster greater understanding of how to support our students and colleagues during this time. For instance, Passover and Purim (Jewish) and Holi (Hindu) are upcoming holidays during the spring semester.

Ideas for creating inclusive environments to support our colleagues and students related to these events could include:

• Consulting the Calendar of Observances or a religious calendar not only for class planning but also when scheduling meetings.
• Asking which events are important to your students and colleagues so you can offer support and understanding when they are observing these events (e.g., during times of fasting).
• Increasing your knowledge about events with which you are less familiar.
• Creating environments where colleagues and students who identify as atheist or agnostic feel supported.

If you have more questions about how to create inclusive environments in the classroom and workplace, email

Anneliese Singh

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