Drake University is committed to fostering a community where students, faculty, and staff can practice, observe, and engage with their religious, spiritual, and cultural traditions with respect and understanding.

The Religious Holidays Calendar highlights observances that members of the Drake community may recognize throughout the academic year. The calendar is intended to serve as a resource for awareness, planning, and fostering a more inclusive campus community. It is important to recognize that not everyone within a particular religious, spiritual, or cultural tradition observes the same holidays or practices them in the same way. Dates may also vary depending on tradition, community, calendar, or other factors. The calendar is therefore not intended to be an exhaustive list of all observances or practices.

The Faculty Senate-Religious Accommodations Policy (12/2020) allows for reasonable accommodations. Students should inform their instructor in writing of their need to observe a religious holiday or rite well in advance of their absence.

Students who anticipate missing class, an exam, or another academic activity due to a religious, spiritual, or cultural observance should communicate with their instructors as early as possible and follow Drake University’s established religious holiday notification process. The form is located on the Religious Holidays Calendar website. Faculty and staff are encouraged to work with students in accordance with university policies and to approach these conversations with flexibility and respect.

Thank you for helping us build a Drake community where individuals feel respected, supported, and able to honor the traditions and practices that are meaningful to them.

Please reach out to me at anisa.hansen@drake.edu with any questions or issues.

— Anisa Hansen, Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion