What's happening
This bill requires SUNY and CUNY institutions to observe Eid Ul-Fitr, Eid Ul-Adha, Diwali, and the Asian Lunar New Year as holidays, with discretionary exemptions.
Why it matters
Promotes cultural and religious inclusivity. by officially recognizing holidays important to Muslim, Hindu, and Asian communities, reflecting the diversity present in SUNY and CUNY student bodies.
May improve student and faculty well-being. by allowing individuals to observe these holidays without academic penalty or stress, encouraging a more supportive campus environment.
Could impact academic scheduling and operations. , requiring institutions to adjust calendars, reschedule classes, or adapt deadlines to accommodate these additional holidays.
Provides institutional flexibility. by giving chancellors discretionary authority to exempt specific campuses, allowing for adaptation based on local circumstances or needs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add New Holidays to SUNY/CUNY
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Add Holidays for SUNY/CUNY
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor David Weprin
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1560
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2017
Introduced by Sens. AVELLA, LATIMER, PERKINS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to observance of certain holidays by institutions within the state university and the city university of New York
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 362 to read as follows:
§ 362. Holidays to be observed. No class or any other course of instruction shall be held in any institution within the state university on those days of religious observance known as Eid Ul-Fitr, Eid Ul-Adha, Diwali and the Asian Lunar New Year, provided, however, that the chancellor, in his or her discretion, may exempt any institution from the foregoing provisions of this section.
§ 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6235 to read as follows:
§ 6235. Holidays to be observed. No class or any other course of instruction shall be held in any institution within the city university on those days of religious observance known as Eid Ul-Fitr, Eid Ul-Adha, Diwali and the Asian Lunar New Year provided, however, that the chancellor, in his or her discretion, may exempt any institution from the foregoing provisions of this section.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00627-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to observance of certain holidays by institutions within the state university and the city university of New York
Purpose or general idea of the bill
The purpose of this legislation is to require the state and city universities to suspend classes on the religious holidays known as Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 and Section 2 of the bill amend the education law by adding new sections 362 and 6235 which require the state and city universities to suspend classes on those days of religious observance known as Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha, Diwali and the Asian Lunar New Year. The Chancellors of the state and city universities shall have discretion to exempt any institution from these provisions.
Section 3 of the bill sets forth an immediate effective date.
Justification
The state and city universities already suspend classes on many days of religious observance including Christmas, Easter, Passover, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, etc. As such it is appropriate for the state and city universities to also suspend classes on Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha, Diwali and the Asian Lunar New Year.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.914-A/A.2663-A (Weprin)
2013-14: S.684/A.6947 (Weprin)
2012: 5.7176
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.