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

Holiday Date of Observance Weekday

Below is the holiday schedule for fiscal year 2026.

Labor Day September 1, 2025 Monday
Thanksgiving November 27, 2025 Thursday
Thanksgiving November 28, 2025 Friday
Skeleton Crew Days * December 19, 2025 Friday
Winter Break December 22, 2025 Monday
Winter Break December 23, 2025 Tuesday
Winter Break December 24, 2025 Wednesday
Winter Break December 25, 2025 Thursday
Winter Break December 26, 2025 Friday
Winter Break December 29, 2025 Monday
Winter Break December 30, 2025 Tuesday
Winter Break December 31, 2025 Wednesday
Winter Break January 1, 2026 Thursday
Winter Break January 2, 2026 Friday
Skeleton Crew Days * January 5, 2026 Monday
Skeleton Crew Days * January 6, 2026 Tuesday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 19, 2026 Monday
Skeleton Crew Days * March 11, 2026 Wednesday
Skeleton Crew Days * March 12, 2026 Thursday
Skeleton Crew Days * March 13, 2026 Friday
Memorial Day May 25, 2026 Monday
Emancipation Day June 19, 2026 Friday
Skeleton Crew Days * July 3, 2026 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 Holiday Date of Observance Weekday

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.

The total number of holidays in a year to which an employee is entitled is not changed by use of alternative holidays.
Rosh Hashanah September 23, 2025 Tuesday
Rosh Hashanah September 24, 2025 Wednesday
Yom Kippur October 2, 2025 Thursday
Good Friday April 3, 2026 Friday