You are here:
Human Resources > Employee > Benefits > Leave Information > University Holidays
University Holidays Calendar for Fiscal Year 2012-2013:
| • Thanksgiving: |
Nov. 22-23, 2012 |
| • Winter Break: |
Dec. 24 2012 - Jan. 1 2013 |
| • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: |
Jan. 21, 2013 |
| • Spring Break: |
March 15, 2013 |
| • Memorial Day: |
May 27, 2013 |
| • Independence Day: |
July 4, 2013 |
Determining the University Holiday Schedule
The State of Texas authorizes certain legal, state and national holidays for state employees, but provides that educational institutions may adjust the actual observance of some of these holidays to permit the most efficient operation. Texas A&M observes the number of holidays as allowed by the state legislature; generally 12 to 15 holidays each fiscal year. Once the state has determined the number of holiday dates, the Texas A&M Registrar makes initial holiday schedule recommends based on the established academic calendar. After the recommendations are reviewed by the Faculty Senate and (beginning in FY12) the University Staff Council, they are forwarded to the University president, the Chancellor, and, ultimately, established by the Texas A&M System Board of Regents. Factors that are considered when holidays are set by the Board of Regents are: the academic schedule (when classes start and end each semester and the minimum number of class days), what day of the week some traditional, moving holidays fall (such as July 4th), and National holidays (Memorial Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day).
The holiday schedule for the following fiscal year is generally finalized and posted by August 1.
Holiday Pay Eligibility
A leave-eligible employee in a 50%-effort position or above must work any portion of the last scheduled working day before a holiday and be in a paid leave status (or work) for any portion of the next scheduled day after a holiday to be eligible for holiday pay. Exception: An employee will be paid for the designated December holidays if s/he is in a paid status or working for any portion of the last scheduled workday before the holiday period begins. The employee will be paid for a designated January 1 holiday if s/he returns to work (or is in a paid leave status) for a portion of the next scheduled work day following the holiday. A “portion” of a scheduled work day, for holiday pay eligibility purposes, is defined to be at least 15 minutes.
Rate of Holiday Compensation
A full-time employee will receive eight hours of holiday compensation for each recognized holiday; part-time employee will receive a proportionate amount of compensation. Example: A 75%-effort employee will receive six hours of compensation; a 50%-effort employee will receive four hours.
Holiday Compensation and a Varied Work Schedule
Full-time employees who normally work varied hours (i.e. four ten-hour days) will receive eight holiday hours of compensation, even though they normally work a 10-hour day. Example: A full-time employee who normally works four ten-hour days from Thursday through Sunday is scheduled to be off on Thursday and Friday, two recognized state holidays. He takes off as allowed on Thursday and Friday, then works two ten-hour days on Saturday and Sunday, for a total of 20 hours worked that week. Sixteen holiday hours are allowed to be coded on Thursday and Friday (eight holiday hours for each day), for a total of 36 coded hours. The employee will have to use four hours of vacation leave (or other appropriate leave) to account for 40 hours that week, or, with his supervisor’s permission, work a different schedule so that he will not have to use his personal leave.
Work On a Scheduled Holiday
Employees who work on a recognized holiday will be compensated for working on that day with state comp time or a straight payment. Employees may make a request through their supervisor to receive either method of compensation; however, the final decision on the method of compensation to be paid will rest with the department. General information regarding holiday compensation is as follows:
- State Comp Time
- may be used by exempt (monthly) and non-exempt (bi-weekly) employees;
- will be provided to the employee (with supervisor approval)
byallowing equivalent time off at a later date with pay for hours worked;
- must be used within 12 months of the date it was earned; unused comp time after that date will expire; and
- may not be used in instances where an employee is scheduled to work on a recognized holiday and calls in sick. Example:
Eight holiday hours will be coded on Thanksgiving Day where an employee scheduled to work eight hours on that day calls in sick.
- Straight Payment for Time Worked
- may be used by non-exempt (bi-weekly) employees only; and
- must be paid at a straight-time rate. Example: An employee who works 40 hours from Thursday through Wednesday and works on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will be paid for 40 hours of work,
plus eight hours for working on a holiday, for a total of 48 hours at a straight-time rate. Any hours actually worked over 40 will be compensated at a rate of time and one-half according to Fair Labor Standards Act overtime procedures.
Time Off For Religious Holy Days
Employees may use appropriate leave (vacation, compensatory time, leave without pay, etc.) to observe Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Good Friday, or any other holy day not recognized as a University holiday. Time off for religious observances should be requested in advance.
Special Holidays
are sometimes declared by the Governor of Texas. They are NOT normal holidays according to the A&M schedule.
Other A&M
System Holiday Schedules for the other various components, agencies, and universities of The Texas A&M University System.
Additional Information:
