The schedule of official university holidays is established annually. The university is granted 12 holidays a year by the Department of Human Resource Management. Unless otherwise noted, holidays are granted in 8-hour increments. Additional time off may be granted by the Governor or the President of the university. Eligible employees who are required to work on holidays will be given compensatory time in accordance with JMU Policy 1303. An employee must work and/or be in paid leave status on the last workday before, and the first workday after an official university closing to receive paid time off.

 2023 University Holiday/Closing Schedule

• Employee Personal Day (taken between 1/10/23 and 1/9/24 must be used in full 8-hour increment)
• Recognition Leave (4 hours, granted 4/7/2023, must be used between 4/7/2023 and 12/31/2023 and used in full 4-hour increment)
• January 2 (New Year’s Day Observed)
• January 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
• May 29 (Memorial Day)
• June 19 (Juneteenth)
• July 4 (Independence Day)
• November 20** 
• November 21** 
• November 22 (4 hours* and 4 hours**)
• November 23 - 24 (Thanksgiving Holiday)
• December 19**
• December 20**
• December 21 (Winter Break)
• December 22 (4 hours* and 4 hours**)
• December 25 (Christmas Day)
• December 26 – 29 (Winter Break)

  *Additional paid time off granted by the governor.
**Additional paid time off awarded as Recognition Leave granted by the president

 Inclement Weather Closures

The university generally maintains a regular schedule during adverse weather conditions, however, there are times the university may close or limit its services based on severe weather or other emergencies. How faculty and staff absences should be handled during adverse weather are common questions. The following information maybe helpful in these situations.

When the university closes, appropriate announcements will be made to the following:

• JMU Weather Line: (540) 433-5300
• JMU radio station 1610AM
• JMU's Website
• JMU's homepage
• Area radio and television stations
• JMU’s Office of Public Safety, who is responsible for the Emergency Notification System announcements. Text and email alerts are initiated through MyMadison.
• LIVESAFE

Policy 1309-University Closings, Class Cancellations and Exam Postponements Due to Inclement Weather or Emergencies also provides information pertaining to university closures.

Contact the Leave Specialist if you have questions about the Holiday Schedule and University Closings.