A listing of religious holy days and occasions for 2002-2003 is present on the Office of Religious Life website at www.usc.edu/dept/Religious-Life.

Provost Lloyd Armstrong and Dean of Religious Life Rabbi Susan Laemmle want to remind USC faculty and staff about the university’s policy that grants students excused absences from class for observance of religious holy days.

Armstrong and Laemmle ask faculty to be responsive to requests by enabling students to make up work missed because of holy day observances. Students are expected to make the necessary arrangements in advance of the absence.

The listing of Holy Days and Occasions is extensive, but not comprehensive of all religions or of any particular religious tradition. In the interest of multi-faith understanding, it does include occasions that are unlikely to impact students’ class participation or that occur when no classes take place. It is the fall Jewish holy days and Passover in the spring that are most likely to present a clear conflict with academic demands, and Muslim students may need accommodation during late afternoon classes and final exams for the Ramadan month of fasting during November-December.

In general, food or work restrictions, as well as special worship obligations, can affect the ability of students, faculty and staff to participate in University events that take place on their religion’s holy day. Some holy days and occasions may require additional time for preparation or travel before and/or after the actual observance.

Questions may be addressed to Rabbi Laemmle at ext. 06110 or laemmle.usc.edu. People may turn to her for help in resolving doubtful cases, or to suggest additional listings for subsequent listings.