With religious holidays beginning as early as August 2010, just as the Cornell student community returns to begin the fall semester, faculty and staff are reminded that religious diversity is part of Cornell's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The Cornell United Religious Work website lists dates of religious observances, along with such restrictions as fasting (with implications for event planning), work (absences from school or work should be excused) and other practices that may pose difficulties in the work or educational environment. A partial list of academic year 2010-11 holidays appears below:

• Ramadan: Tuesday, Aug. 10, through Friday, Sept. 10

• Rosh Hashanah: Wednesday, Sept. 8, through Friday, Sept. 10

• Yom Kippur: Friday, Sept. 17, through Saturday, Sept. 18

• Eid al Adha: Monday, Nov. 15, through Tuesday, Nov. 16

• Hanukkah: Wednesday, Dec. 1, through Wednesday, Dec. 8

• Christmas: Saturday, Dec. 25

• Ash Wednesday: Wednesday, March 9

• Passover: Monday, April 18, through Tuesday, April 26

• Good Friday (Eastern Orthodox, also): Friday, April 22

• Easter (Eastern Orthodox, also): Sunday, April 24

To help resolve potential conflict and ensure optimal attendance, the Cornell community is encouraged to refer to the calendar when planning exams, meetings or special events and to use the religious accommodation process (http://www.hr.cornell.edu/policies/all/religious_accommodation.html) when needed. Flexible work schedules may be employed to accommodate religious observances (see flex policy at http://www.dfa.cornell.edu/dfa/treasurer/policyoffice/policies/volumes/humanresources/flexibility.cfm).

Departments may allow for decoration of individual workspaces consistent with the holiday display guidelines at http://www.ehs.cornell.edu/pdfs/Winter_Holiday_Display_Poster_2008_9.pdf.

Contact the Office of Workforce Policy and Labor Relations at 607-254-7232 or e-mail equalopportunity@cornell.edu with questions.