Provides that no class or any other course of instruction shall be held in any institution within the state or city university on those days of religious observance known as Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur.
Summary
This bill requires that no classes or other course instruction be held at any institution within the State University of New York (SUNY) or the City University of New York (CUNY) on the Jewish holy days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The measure applies to all institutions within those public university systems and is framed as a holiday observance requirement rather than an optional campus policy.
The bill would amend the Education Law by adding new sections governing holiday observance for SUNY and CUNY. If enacted, it would create a statewide statutory closure requirement for those two religious holidays, effectively mandating academic scheduling changes across public higher education institutions in New York. The bill states that it takes effect immediately.
Impact
The bill would add explicit statutory protections in the Education Law for observance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by SUNY and CUNY, prohibiting classes and other instructional activities on those days. It would directly affect public colleges and universities within the state and city university systems, requiring them to adjust academic calendars, course schedules, and potentially examinations or other instructional obligations to comply with the mandated closures.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be presented in a straightforward, supportive manner as a religious accommodation for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. No committee transcript or vote record is available here, so there is no documented opposition or support beyond the bill’s stated purpose. The overall tone of the proposal is affirmative and protective of observance of major Jewish holidays.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the operational impact on SUNY and CUNY scheduling, including how institutions would manage academic calendars, make-up classes, and instructional continuity when two major holidays fall during the semester. Another possible issue is whether the mandate should apply uniformly across all campuses and programs, especially where clinical, lab, or other time-sensitive instruction is involved. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the available record.
Providing for the annual designations and holiday observances of Rosh Hashanah Day, Yom Kippur Day, Eid al-Fitr Day and Eid al-Adha Day in this Commonwealth.
An act to add Section 37224 to, and to add Article 12 (commencing with Section 66095) to Chapter 2 of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of, the Education Code, and to amend Sections 11131 and 54961 of the Government Code, relating to holidays.
Relates to observance of all religious holidays by institutions within the state university and the city university of New York; includes the Asian Lunar New Year within the definition of such holidays.
Relates to observance of all religious holidays by institutions within the state university and the city university of New York; includes the Asian Lunar New Year within the definition of such holidays.
Relates to observance of all religious holidays by institutions within the state university and the city university of New York; includes the Asian Lunar New Year within the definition of such holidays.
Relates to observance of all religious holidays by institutions within the state university and the city university of New York; includes the Asian Lunar New Year within the definition of such holidays.
Establishes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as school holidays, with dates established by religious law and tradition; allows for school districts and municipalities with a population of less than fifty thousand to opt into the recognition of such holidays.