Observances of Religious Holidays
Most observances of religious holidays are organized by student religious organizations with the assistance of the Multifaith Chaplaincy.
Religious Holidays Accommodations Policy
From Bates College’s Office of Student Affairs Website: (link here)
A Note About Religious Holidays
Bates recognizes the right of students to fulfill their religious obligations and practices. In recognition of Bates’ commitment to a diverse and inclusive student body and the variety of religions observed and practiced by our students, faculty are encouraged to consult the Multifaith Calendars posted online by the Office of the Multifaith Chaplain when developing course syllabi so that conflicts between in class examinations and major religious holidays may be avoided. Given the range of faiths embraced by our students, it may not be possible to avoid all conflicts between scheduled examinations and religious holidays. Students are expected to approach the instructor within the first three weeks of the semester if there is a conflict between a scheduled examination, paper, or project due date and a significant religious holiday observed by the student. This timely communication with the faculty member ensures that the student may observe significant religious holidays and make alternative arrangements to complete course assignments without academic penalty.
Christian Holidays
The Festival of Light and Song: A Service of Lessons & Carols is organized each Christmas season by the Multifaith Chaplaincy. An observance of Ash Wednesday is organized by the Catholic Student community and the Multifaith Chaplaincy and an Easter Service (Western) is organized by the Bates Christian Fellowship and the Multifaith Chaplaincy.
Hindu Holidays
The Multifaith Chaplaincy supports students in organizing the celebration of Diwali and other major Hindu holidays and festivals.
Jewish Holidays
Working with the student Jewish group, Hillel, the Multifaith Chaplaincy helps to organize celebrations of major Jewish holidays each year, bringing in a rabbi to celebrate the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, hosting a Seder dinner during Passover, making latkes and lighting candles during Hannukah, and praying at Yom Hashoah.
Muslim Holidays
The Muslim Student Association and the Multifaith Chaplaincy have partnered on dinners to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr – marking the end of Ramadan, a holy period of fasting, service, and prayer – and Eid-al-Adha, considered by many to be the greater Eid.
