Hofstra University was founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs. Until recently, these beliefs have always been reflected in the academic calendar. But beginning the Fall Semester of 2016, Hofstra will not dedicate any days off to religious holidays. Instead, students and faculty will receive a mid-semester break and otherwise have off national holidays only. For the Spring Semester of 2017, spring break will not coincide with any religious holiday and will instead be given in the exact middle of the semester.
The Hofstra University Senate Executive Committee began seriously discussing the idea last year.
“Because of the increasing diversification, culturally and ethnically, of our student body, there was a need to follow suit of many other schools and universities to not officially observe the Jewish holy days,” said Professor Bass, a member of Hofstra’s University Senate. Also due to “concerns and demands of other students celebrating other holidays,” the Senate Executive Committee at Hofstra decided to switch to a secular academic calendar.
“We’ve [recently] had complaints from certain students and faculty,” said Professor Nirode, a member of Hofstra’s Senate Executive Committee. “I think it was time to make a change. Some of it was not recognizing all religious holidays, and part of it was the disruptive nature of the calendar this semester.”
Students complained that the current semester was making them feel burnt out. With such a broken up September schedule, students had to go most of October and November with no break. The calendar change will solve that problem by always providing a mid-semester break.
“It’ll be interesting to see how they handle students and professors who celebrate these holidays,” said Professor Evans. There will be no defined rules on what professors must do if they observe or have students who observe religious holidays. But, the university will encourage professors to provide make up assignments or online classes if they must miss a day of teaching.
According to Professor Bass, only about 16 to 18 percent of Hofstra students are Jewish. But because the school has always been closed for these holidays, it may take some getting used to.
Some students are concerned that having school on Jewish holidays like Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashana will be an inconvenience, especially if they need to travel home. “I do things with my family for the holidays,” said Hofstra junior Elyssa Hirsch. “I went home this weekend for my family Chanukah party and I go home for various holidays throughout the semester. They don’t fall the way Christmas and Thanksgiving do, so it’s harder.”
“We’re going to try it,” said Professor Maccarrone, chair of the Senate Executive Committee. “This is going to be a big change in the Hofstra Community. If you’re a person that doesn’t like change you’re probably not going to like this. If It doesn’t work out we can always go back.”
The Senate Executive Committee hopes this change will help further diversify the school. “Let everyone do what they want, observe what they want, and the school will function like any other normal university in the country,” said Bass.
