Dear UMBC Community,
As we strive to build a community rooted in inclusive excellence, it is important to note the various ways in which religious observance, holidays, and spiritual practice may impact the experiences and specific accommodation needs of members of the UMBC community.
The Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Pluralism, along with campus partners in the divisions of Student Affairs and Institutional Equity, are dedicated to sharing information and expanded resources related to daily and weekly religious observances, as well as special celebrations, holidays, and rituals, that help us all better support our campus community members in this vital aspect of belonging. Today, we would like to share some updates and resources we hope you will find helpful throughout your work:
- UMBC’s Faith-Based and Religious Accommodations Policy – We want to highlight UMBC’s Interim Policy on Faith-Based and Religious Accommodations, and specifically note the form created by the Office of Equity and Civil Rights that campus community members should use to request these accommodations. Please take special note of whom the completed form should be submitted to, since it varies based on the type and nature of the accommodation requested. Faculty members should work in consultation with the Office of Equity and Civil Rights, as needed, to determine if an accommodation should be granted.
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Weekly and Daily Observances – In addition to major religious and spiritual holidays, celebrations, and observances, campus community members often engage in daily and weekly practices that can significantly shape how they navigate campus. Daily practices (including individual and communal prayers, specific food accommodations, etc.) and weekly practices (including Shabbat or Jummah observance) serve as important touch points for students, staff, and faculty at UMBC. Please know that such observances often contain work restrictions, fasting, and other practices.
Many of these observances take place on campus in The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being in the Center for Well-Being, or with one of UMBC’s 29 undergraduate and graduate religious and belief student organizations. Additionally, many community members and religious and belief organizations are supported by members of the UMBC Religious Council (click on the Spiritual Resources tab), who are available to meet and provide religious and spiritual guidance.
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Upcoming Religious Holidays for the Fall 2025 Semester – By following this link, you will find a list of some religious holy days that may impact calendars during the fall 2025 academic semester. The holidays included are those that may have a significant impact on observant community members and could present a conflict with academic and work requirements. Please note that not all holidays will apply to all members of a particular religious or spiritual community.
Please keep this list in mind as you schedule programs, field trips, events, exams, or major projects, knowing that some members of our community may be fasting, limiting their work, or observing a holiday in other ways. Some religious observances may also require additional time for preparation or travel before and after the actual holy day(s).
Thank you in advance for making UMBC a campus that continues to celebrate and support religious and spiritual diversity. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Best wishes,
Matt Hoffman, MDiv, STM
Director, Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Pluralism
Joseph Vann-Jones, MDiv
Coordinator, The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being
Jasmine A. Lee, MSW, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President, Division of Institutional Equity