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 2023.
Holiday	Date of Observance	Weekday
Labor Day	September 5, 2022	Monday
Thanksgiving	November 24, 2022	Thursday
Thanksgiving	November 25, 2022	Friday
Winter Break	December 23, 2022	Friday
Winter Break	December 26, 2022	Monday
Winter Break	December 27, 2022	Tuesday
Winter Break	December 28, 2022	Wednesday
Winter Break	December 29, 2022	Thursday
Winter Break	December 30, 2022	Friday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	January 16, 2023	Monday
Memorial Day	May 29, 2023	Monday
Emancipation Day	June 19, 2023	Monday
Independence Day	July 4, 2023	Tuesday

Energy Conservation Day

The university is officially closed for Energy Conservation Day. As such, only essential personnel report for duty. Staff should report this time as Emergency Leave on their timesheet.
Holiday	Date of Observance	Weekday
Energy Conservation Day	March 17, 2023	Friday

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 26, 2022	Monday
Rosh Hashanah	September 27, 2022	Tuesday
Yom Kippur	October 05, 2022	Wednesday
Good Friday	April 07, 2023	Friday