Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
76 matches found
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May 25 is the deadline for the Larine Y. Cowan Make a Difference Awards. The awards celebrate the achievements of faculty, academic professionals and civic service employees who made significant contributions in creating and sustaining an inclusive living, learning and working community at Illinois.
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The 40th day of Easter and remembers the departure of Christ from Earth into the presence of God. It is a day of solemn observation in the Episcopal Church.
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The Christian holiday of Ascension Day, also known as the Feast of the Ascension, celebrates when Jesus ascended to heaven 40 days after Pascha (Easter). It is celebrated by Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran churches. Ascension Day is observed on a Thursday.
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Baha’is observe the anniversary of the death in exile of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Baha’i Faith. It is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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Commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Services are held at synagogues. Jewish students or employees observing Shavuot may stay home from work during this period, and some may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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The Last Sunday of the Great Fifty Days of Easter. It is a solemn holy day designated as a baptismal feast. In the Episcopal Church, the Gospel is often read in various languages.
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At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, Bahá'ís gather for an observance called the 19-Day Feast. The First of Núr (Light) begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day. It is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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The first Sunday after Pentecost in the Western Christian liturgical calendar, and the Sunday of Pentecost in Eastern Christianity. Trinity Sunday celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the three Persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
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The celebration of the Eucharist as the presence of Christ's body, blood, soul, and divinity by a divine act of God within the Mass. It is celebrated with a feast and a procession.
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Commemorates the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru and the first Sikh Martyr.
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Summer Solstice. Litha is the longest day and the shortest night of the year, and a time for transition and planning. Light triumphs, but will now begin to fade into darkness as autumn approaches. This joyous holiday is a time of abundance for wildlife, including people!
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At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, Bahá'ís gather for an observance called the 19-Day Feast. The First of Rahmat (Mercy) begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day. It is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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Occurring on the tenth day of the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son to God. It is tradition to sacrifice a goat and use it to feed your family, friends, and the poor. Muslim students or employees observing Eid al-Adha may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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The holy day commemorates the anniversary of the execution of the Báb (Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad), the herald of the Baha’i Faith. It is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, Bahá'ís gather for an observance called the 19-Day Feast. The First of Kalimát (Words) begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day. It is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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Asalha Puja is also known as "Dhamma Day" which celebrates the Buddha's first teaching on the full moon day of the 8th lunar month. The day is observed by donating offerings to temples and listening to sermons. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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Fast commemorating breaching of the walls of Jerusalem before the destruction of the Second Temple. Observed by fasting.
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At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, from sunset of the first day until sunset of the last day, Bahá'ís observing the First of Kamal - Perfection gather for the 19-Day Feast. That is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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The Islamic New Year starts on the 1st of Muharram, which is the first month in the Islamic calendar, and historically marks the moment the prophet Mohammed [peace be unto him] fled from Mecca to Yathrib to escape religious persecution. It is considered the most holy Muslim holiday after Ramadan.
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The 10th day of the first month (Muharram) of the Islamic calendar marks a holy day (known as Ashura) whose significance varies among Islamic sects. Sunnis consider it the day that God parted the Red Sea to allow Moses and the Israelites to escape Egypt. For Shia and Sufi Muslims, Ashura is an important and solemn occasion marking the Remembrance or Mourning of Muharram.
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At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, from sunset of the first day until sunset of the last day, Bahá'ís observing the First of Asma (Names) gather for the 19-Day Feast. There is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion.
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Paryushana is an eight-to-ten day Jain festival of coming together when lay adherents fast and pray, reciting their sacred texts and emphasizing their five ethical duties or vows. The festival ends with Samvatsari, a day of focused prayer and meditation, when forgiveness is asked for offenses committed during the previous year.
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At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, from sunset the day before the day listed until sunset of the day listed, Bahá'ís observing the First of Izzat (Might) gather for the 19-Day Feast. There is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion.
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The Autumn Equinox is a time for giving thanks and for reflection. At Mabon, the day and the night are equal in length, in sublime balance. For many locations, Mabon coincides with the final harvest of grain, fruits, and vegetables. Mabon, also called Harvest Home, is the time of thanksgiving.
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The Jewish New Year, celebrated by praying in synagogue, personal reflection, and hearing the shofar. Work is often prohibited. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, Bahá'ís gather for an observance called the 19-Day Feast. The First of Mashiyyat (Will) begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day. It is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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Day of Atonement. For Jewish people observing Yom Kippur, the day is often observed by fasting, praying, abstaining from physical pleasures, and refraining from work. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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Born in 570 CE, Prophet Muhammad’s [peace be upon him] birthday is commemorated by Muslims around the world during the month of Rabi’ Al-Awal. Mawlid an-Nabi – literally, The Birth of the Prophet – is often referred to as the Mawlid.
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The Feast of Tabernacles. Actual holy days. Jewish employees observing Sukkot Major may stay home from work during this period, and some may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.
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The Feast of Tabernacles. Actual holy days. Jewish employees observing Sukkot Major may stay home from work during this period, and some may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.
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The Feast of Tabernacles. For Jewish employees observing Sukkot Minor, work is often allowed but meals need to be done in the Sukkah. Some may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.
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Born in 570 CE, Prophet Muhammad’s [peace be upon him] birthday is commemorated by Muslims around the world during the month of Rabi’ Al-Awal. Mawlid an-Nabi – literally, The Birth of the Prophet – is often referred to as the Mawlid.
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At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, Bahá'ís gather for an observance called the 19-Day Feast. The First Day of ‘Ilm (Knowledge) begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day. It is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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Day of Celebrating the Torah. The main celebrations of Simchat Torah take place in the synagogue during evening and morning services. Jewish employees observing Simchat Torah may stay home from work during this period, and some may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.
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This day commemorates the birth of the central religious scripture of Sikhism, regarded by many Sikhs as the final, sovereign and eternal living Guru following the lineage of the ten human Gurus of the religion.
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Diwali or The Festival of Lights is a major holiday. Extending over 5 days, it celebrates the victory of good over evil. Celebrations include millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and windows, around temples, and other buildings. Some students or employees may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.
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Celebrating the founder of Bábism, and one of three central figures of the Azali and Bahá'í Faiths. From sunset of the first day until sunset of the last day, Bahá'ís observing the Birth of the Báb may stay home from work during this period, and some may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.
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The Birth of the Báb and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh occurred on consecutive days according to the Islamic lunar calendar. They are two of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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This holy day celebrates the birth of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith. Bahá'ís observing the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh may stay home from work during this period, and some may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.
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From sunset of the first day to sunset of the last day, Samhain marks the Pagan New Year, a time for honoring the dead, cleansing, and releasing. For many Wiccans, Samhain is the most important Sabbat. It’s the time to remember the ancestors, and the time to celebrate the harvest and all that has been accomplished over the year.
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A solemn feast that celebrates all of the saints, both known and unknown. Many Episcopal churches observe this feast on the first Sunday immediately following November 1. Catholics are often obligated to attend Mass this day.
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A feast day that commemorates the souls of the faithful departed. In Episcopal Churches, the names of those from the congregation who have died in the past year are read aloud during the service on this day, or on All Saints’ Sunday.
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At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, Bahá'ís gather for an observance called the 19-Day Feast. The First Day of Qudrat (Power) begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day. It is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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This day commemorates the birth of the central religious scripture of Sikhism, regarded by many Sikhs as the final, sovereign and eternal living Guru following the lineage of the ten human Gurus of the religion. Students or employees may request scheduling adjustments in order to observe.
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When the rivers and canals are full of water, this festival takes place in all parts of Thailand on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month. Bowls made with leaves, candles, and incense sticks, are placed in the water, and represent bad luck disappearing.
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At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, Bahá'ís gather for an observance called the 19-Day Feast. The First Day of Qawl (Speech) begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day. It is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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The Day of the Covenant is a festival that commemorates Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of His eldest son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the Center of His Covenant. Begins and ends at sunset on the first and last days.
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Baha’is observe the anniversary of the death of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, son of Bahá’u’lláh and His appointed successor, on Nov 28, 1921 in Haifa, in what is now northern Israel. While this is not a day in which work and school should be suspended, some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
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Bodhi Day commemorates the Buddha's achievement of Nirvana, and what this means for Buddhism today. Those observing may do so through additional meditation, study of the Dharma, chanting of Buddhist texts (sutras), or performing kind acts towards other beings. Some Buddhists celebrate with a traditional meal of tea, cake, and readings.
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At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, Bahá'ís gather for an observance called the 19-Day Feast. The First of Masá’il (Questions) begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day. It is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule accommodations in order to observe.
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Celebrates the Jewish rebellion against the Greeks and the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem. Celebrated by lighting candles each night, singing special songs, reciting prayers, eating foods fried in oil, playing the dreidel game, and giving Chanukah gelt. Some students or employees may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.
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Winter Solstice. Yule is the longest night and the shortest day of the year, and is the time to celebrate the return of the light. Some Wiccans consider Yule to be either the year’s beginning or the end. Yule is the solar turning of the tides, and the newborn Sun offers a fresh start and, literally, a new day. It’s a time of renewal and hope.
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The Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, which celebrates the Incarnation of God taking on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by erecting Christmas trees, decorating homes, visiting family and friends and exchanging gifts. Some students or employees may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.
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Kwanzaa is an annual seven-day African-American and pan-African holiday celebration that takes place from December 26 to January 1. For seven days, a principle (Nguzo Saba) is reflected upon such as unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
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At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, Bahá'ís gather for an observance called the 19-Day Feast. The First Day of Sharaf (Honour) begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day. It is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
