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Holiday Schedule

2025–2026 Holiday Schedule

University holiday schedule, including closure status and dates
Holiday University Status Date Day of Week
Labor Day University Closed September 1, 2025 Monday
Day Before Thanksgiving University Closed November 26, 2025 Wednesday
Thanksgiving Day University Closed November 27, 2025 Thursday
Day After Thanksgiving University Closed November 28, 2025 Friday
Winter Break Skeleton Crew Required* December 22, 2025 Monday
Winter Break Skeleton Crew Required* December 23, 2025 Tuesday
Winter Break University Closed December 24, 2025 Wednesday
Winter Break University Closed December 25, 2025 Thursday
Winter Break University Closed December 26, 2025 Friday
Winter Break Skeleton Crew Required* December 29, 2025 Monday
Winter Break Skeleton Crew Required* December 30, 2025 Tuesday
Winter Break Skeleton Crew Required* December 31, 2025 Wednesday
New Year’s Day University Closed January 1, 2026 Thursday
Day After New Year’s Day University Closed January 2, 2026 Friday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day University Closed January 19, 2026 Monday
Memorial Day University Closed May 25, 2026 Monday

Holiday Leave

Paid holiday leave is provided to employees who are appointed to work at least 20 hours per week for a period of at least four and one-half continuous months. Employees appointed less than full-time but at least 20 hours per week are eligible for holiday leave, including floating holiday leave, proportionate to the number of hours appointed.

The legislature provides institutions of higher education the flexibility to establish their own holiday schedules. This flexibility allows U.T. System Administration to establish a holiday schedule that is more compatible with the academic calendars of the institutions we serve. Accordingly, U.T. System Administration observes the same number of holidays observed by state agencies even though our respective holiday schedules may differ.

*Skeleton Crews

According to the Texas Government Code, the university must provide minimum services on skeleton crew days. This does not apply to a holiday that falls on a Saturday, Sunday, the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, or the 24th or 26th of December.

When Skeleton Crews are Required

When Skeleton Crews are Required
Vice Presidents and Deans determine how their reporting departments will handle skeleton crews. For example, if the work of the department involves conducting business with the public, then a skeleton crew is necessary.
Depending on the type of work, the Vice President or Dean might allow the skeleton crew to work from an off-campus location or by phone. Vice Presidents or Deans determine the minimum number of staff required for an on-site skeleton crew.

Holiday Compensatory Time

Employees who work on a holiday will receive equivalent time off within the 12-month period following the holiday worked.

Optional Holidays

The legislature has designated Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Good Friday as optional holidays. A holiday pay-eligible employee may observe optional holidays by working on any holiday in which a skeleton workforce is required or by using applicable accrued leave.