Holidays

Sam Houston State University provides paid holidays to employees to help balance work and family responsibilities. Employees may observe alternative holidays in lieu of a university holiday.

Eligibility

Benefits-eligible staff, with an FTE greater than or equal to .5, are eligible for paid holidays. Academic year faculty/academic staff, temporary employees (including students), and part-time employees who work irregular schedules are not eligible for paid holidays. Those not eligible should refer to the academic calendar for holidays.

Academic Calendar

Holiday Schedule

Below is the holiday schedule for fiscal year 2024.
Holiday	Date of Observance	Weekday
Labor Day	September 4, 2023	Monday
Thanksgiving	November 23, 2023	Thursday
Thanksgiving	November 24, 2023	Friday
Skeleton Crew Operations *	December 21, 2023	Thursday
Skeleton Crew Operations *	December 22, 2023	Friday
Winter Break	December 25, 2023	Monday
Winter Break	December 26, 2023	Tuesday
Winter Break	December 27, 2023	Wednesday
Winter Break	December 28, 2023	Thursday
Winter Break	December 29, 2023	Friday
New Year's Day	January 1, 2024	Monday
Skeleton Crew Operations *	January 2, 2024	Tuesday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	January 15, 2024	Monday
Skeleton Crew Operations *	March 13, 2024	Wednesday
Skeleton Crew Operations *	March 14, 2024	Thursday
Skeleton Crew Operations *	March 15, 2024	Friday
Memorial Day	May 27, 2024	Monday
Emancipation Day	June 19, 2024	Wednesday
Independence Day	July 4, 2024	Thursday

*During skeleton crew days, administrative and other offices noted in policy HR-08 remain operational with limited staff.

FAQs: Holiday and Skeleton Crew Days

Alternative Holidays

The following alternative days may be observed in lieu of a university holiday. Employees will need to discuss with their supervisor about availability of the desired date to switch.

Due to university closure during scheduled holidays, employees observing alternative days shall be charged available vacation, compensatory time or unpaid leave to account for the alternative day. The total number of holidays in a year to which an employee is entitled is not changed by use of alternative holidays.
Alternative Holiday	Date of Observance	Weekday
Rosh Hashanah	September 15, 2023	Friday
Yom Kippur	September 25, 2023	Monday
Good Friday	March 29, 2024	Friday