Religious Observances and Spiritual Life at Northeastern
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:
We are writing to call your attention to Northeastern’s policies around religious observances and inclusion, and to share a list of religious holidays that intersect with the 2024-2025 academic calendar which may impact student and employee schedules.
Northeastern University is home to nearly every world religious and humanist tradition, with over 50 student organizations and affinity groups serving thousands of community members across the global university system. With daily Spiritual Life programs, sacred seasons, and holy days throughout the year, we strive to foster an inclusive community where people of all religious, spiritual, and humanist worldviews experience belonging and meaning within a culture of interfaith cooperation and mutual understanding.
As we enter the spring semester, many community members are planning ways to observe their religious traditions and to learn about others’ traditions. University policy provides that students who are unable to attend classes, participate in required course activities, or take scheduled examinations because of religious observance will be provided with reasonable opportunity to make up the coursework without adverse effects. Information about the student accommodation policy may be found here. The university also respects the religious observance of faculty and staff. A list of global religious holidays may also be found at the Center for Spirituality, Dialogue, and Service’s website.
For questions regarding:
- Sacred seasons, holy days and Spiritual Life across the Northeastern Global University System, click here, email csds@northeastern.edu, call 617.373.2728, sign up for the CSDS ENEWS, or follow Northeastern Spiritual Life on Instagram or Facebook.
- Resources on religious programs and groups, mindfulness and wellness offerings, community service and dialogue opportunities, and places to pray and worship on Northeastern’s campuses may be found on the Center’s website and YouTube channel.
- Confidential Spiritual Advising (pastoral care and support) is also available for all community members by appointment. Please contact Alexander Levering Kern, CSDS Executive Director, at a.kern@northeastern.edu or 617.373.4931 with any questions, or learn about the Spiritual Advisors and email them here.
We look forward to working—and celebrating—with you this semester.
Kind regards,
Deb Franko
Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Alexander Levering Kern
Executive Director, Center for Spirituality, Dialogue and Service
