Good Friday: Vincennes University Closure Details

Vincennes University observes Good Friday as a holiday. In 2021 and 2022, the university was closed on Good Friday, with no classes taking place.

Vincennes University closes for Good Friday

Vincennes University, a public higher education institution in Indiana, closes for Good Friday. The university is known for being Indiana's first college, having been founded in 1801.

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday and is part of Holy Week, which commemorates the events leading up to Jesus Christ's crucifixion. It is a significant day for Christians, as it marks the day that Jesus was crucified and died. Many Christians around the world observe this day with solemn services and prayers.

In the 2021-2022 academic calendar, Vincennes University observed Good Friday on April 15, 2022, with no classes held and the university closed. The same was true for Good Friday in 2021, which fell on April 2.

The university also closes for other holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.

Students can be excused from class for religious observations

Religious Accommodation

The University of Connecticut advises faculty and staff to take dates of religious holidays into consideration when planning events or setting academic deadlines. They also encourage staff to learn more about individual observances at the Interfaith Calendar. UConn also has a Religious Accommodation Policy, which states that any student who is unable to attend classes due to their religious beliefs may be excused from any academic activities on those days.

State Law

New York State Education Law (Chapter 161, Section 224-a) states that no person shall be refused admission as a student or expelled from an institution of higher education because they are unable to register or attend classes due to their religious beliefs. It also states that students who are unable to attend classes because of their religious beliefs shall be excused from any examination or study or work requirements.

University Policy

Northeast Ohio Medical University has a policy that allows students to be excused from class for up to three days of academic requirements or examinations per academic semester to take holidays for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief systems. The university will not impose any academic penalty for these excused absences and will accept the sincerity of a student's religious or spiritual belief system without question.

Student Responsibilities

Students requesting religious accommodation should be aware that they are responsible for obtaining the materials and information provided during any classes missed. They should also be prepared to discuss plans for making up missed work.

Faculty Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of course instructors to make available to each student who is absent from academic activities because of a sincerely held religious practice or belief an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study or work requirements which have been missed. Course instructors should make every attempt to respect the privacy of students when making accommodations and should not ask the student for proof that their religious practices or beliefs are sincerely held.

Students must notify staff within the first two weeks of the semester

Vincennes University is a secular institution and Good Friday is not a university holiday. While students can be excused from class for religious observations, they must notify instructors within the first two weeks of the semester. This is a common policy across many universities.

The Importance of Notifying Staff Within the First Two Weeks of the Semester

Secondly, early notification ensures that students are held accountable for their attendance and academic performance. By providing advance notice, students demonstrate their commitment to their education and their willingness to take responsibility for their learning. This proactive approach helps foster a positive relationship between students and staff, promoting open communication and mutual respect.

Moreover, notifying staff within the first two weeks allows the university to effectively manage its resources and provide the necessary support for students. Early notification enables the university to allocate the appropriate staff, facilities, and other resources to accommodate the needs of its students. This includes arranging for substitute instructors, if needed, and ensuring that students have access to the tools and materials required for their studies.

Finally, early notification helps maintain the integrity of the university's academic programs. By knowing in advance which students will be absent and for how long, instructors can design their courses and assessments with greater flexibility. This benefits all students, as instructors can create a more inclusive and accessible learning environment.

In summary, students notifying staff within the first two weeks of the semester helps promote effective planning, accountability, resource management, and academic integrity. It fosters a positive relationship between students and staff, ultimately contributing to a more supportive and successful learning environment for all.

Vincennes University is a secular institution

As a secular institution, Vincennes University does not recognise religious holidays. While students can be excused from class for religious observations, the requirements for this are clearly outlined in the university's absence and attendance policy, which states that instructors must be notified within the first two weeks of the semester.

The university offers a diverse range of majors focused on careers in teaching and industry. It is organised into six colleges: Business and Public Service, Health Sciences and Human Performance, Science, Engineering, and Mathematics, and Social Science, Performing Arts, and Communications.

Vincennes University provides students with a vibrant and historic city to explore, including unique local landmarks such as the George Rogers Clark National Historic Park, Fort Knox II, and the mansion of VU founder and US President William Henry Harrison. The university's small size allows instructors to give individualised support to students, fostering a respectful and caring community.

Good Friday is not a university holiday

In fact, Vincennes University has held exams on Good Friday in the past, and some professors have expressed frustration with students who claim they "can't make it" due to travelling home for Easter. While students can be excused from class for religious observations, the requirements for this are clearly laid out by the university's absence/attendance policy, which states that the instructor must be notified within the first two weeks of the semester.

Some universities in the UK and Canada do close for Good Friday, and one Vincennes University professor has suggested that the university schedule a "University Day" on Good Friday, where offices remain open but classes are cancelled and small events are scheduled, with the expectation that most students will be gone for a long Easter weekend. However, this has not been implemented, and Good Friday remains a regular university day at Vincennes.

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