We the students request that East Carolina University recognizes and observes the following holidays: Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Eid al Adha, Navaratri, and Diwali by suspending classes during these times for the years going forward. These three days create unnecessary conditions for students that observe these holidays and they force them to fall behind in class, miss crucial material, and have to reschedule exams that are scheduled on these days. There are many schools that cancel classes on these holidays in the northern portion of the United States, but there are not many that do in the southern portion. We, as a university, can stand out among the other schools in the region as a school that truly cares about its students and is willing to make this sacrifice to ensure that each student receives the same opportunity to exceed. These holidays are the holiest and most significant to each religion, and students must be allowed to observe their holiday without the fear of falling behind academically.

If there are any religions that are not represented in the calendar, please contact me at schineb13@students.ecu.edu