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

HolidayDate of ObservanceWeekday

Below is the holiday schedule for fiscal year 2025.

Labor Day September 2, 2024 Monday
Thanksgiving November 28, 2024 Thursday
Thanksgiving November 29, 2024 Friday
Skeleton Crew Days * December 20, 2024 Friday
Winter Break December 23, 2024 Monday
Winter Break December 24, 2024 Tuesday
Winter Break December 25, 2024 Wednesday
Winter Break December 26, 2024 Thursday
Winter Break December 27, 2024 Friday
Winter Break December 30, 2024 Monday
Winter Break December 31, 2024 Tuesday
Winter Break January 1, 2025 Wednesday
Skeleton Crew Days * January 2, 2025 Thursday
Skeleton Crew Days * January 3, 2025 Friday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 20, 2025 Monday
Skeleton Crew Days * March 12, 2025 Wednesday
Skeleton Crew Days * March 13, 2025 Thursday
Skeleton Crew Days * March 14, 2025 Friday
Memorial Day May 26, 2025 Monday
Emancipation Day June 19, 2025 Thursday
Independence Day July 4, 2025 Friday

*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

Alternative HolidayDate of ObservanceWeekday

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.
Rosh Hashanah October 03, 2024 Thursday
Rosh Hashanah October 04, 2024 Friday
Good Friday April 18, 2025 Friday