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“Working at Smith, every day is a growth opportunity. There is a beautiful fabric of collaboration on campus, and I feel every day as though my work is made better by the creativity and conscience of students, faculty, and staff. Together, we work to make the world a little bit more just, more resilient, more invested in a healthy and hopeful future.”
—Becca Malloy, Assistant Director of Sustainability
Holiday Schedules
Smith observes a number of holidays throughout the year. Whenever possible, department heads are encouraged to grant time off for the observance of religious and other holidays that are not official college holidays. This time off may be taken as personal time, vacation or short-term absence without pay. See the Employee Handbook for terms and eligibility.
Administrative & Administrative Support Staff with 12-Month Appointments
Independence Day (2 days)
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Friday, July 5, 2024
Labor Day (1 day)
Monday, September 2, 2024
Fall Break (1 day)
Monday, October 14, 2024
Thanksgiving (3 days)
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Friday, November 29, 224
Winter Break ( 10 days)
Monday, December 23, 2024
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Friday, December 27, 2024
Monday, December 30, 2024
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Friday, January 3, 2025
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (1 day)
Monday, January 20, 2025
Memorial Day (1 day)
Monday, May 26, 2025
Juneteenth (1 day)
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Holidays are considered paid holidays only if they fall within your regular work schedule.
Summer office hours begin Tuesday, May 27, 2025 (due to holiday)
Regular office hours resume Monday, August 18, 2025
Administrative & Administrative Support Staff with LESS Than 12-Month Appointments (academic year)
Labor Day (1 day)
Monday, September 2, 2024
Thanksgiving (3 days)
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Friday, November 29, 2024
Winter Break (10 days)
Monday, December 23, 2024
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Friday, December 27, 2024
Monday, December 30, 2024
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Friday, January 3, 2025
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (1 day)
Monday, January 20, 2025
Memorial Day (1 day, if scheduled to work)
Monday, May 26, 2025
Recess Periods (7 days)
Fall Break (2 days)
Monday, October 14, 2024
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Spring Break (5 days)
Monday, March 17, 2025
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Friday, March 21, 2025
Work Schedules for Academic Year Staff
39-Week Schedule: Monday, August 2024–Friday, May 23, 2025
Other 9-, 10-, or 11-Month Schedules: Work schedule dates vary
Holidays are considered paid holidays only if they fall within your regular work schedule.
Administrative & Administrative Support Staff with 12-Month Appointments
Independence Day (2 days)
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Friday, July 4, 2025
Labor Day (1 day)
Monday, September 1, 2025
Fall Break (1 day)
Monday, October 13, 2025
Thanksgiving (3 days)
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Friday, November 28, 2025
Winter Break (10 days)
Monday, December 22, 2025
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Friday, December 26, 2025
Monday, December 29, 2025
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Friday, January 2, 2026
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (1 day)
Monday, January 19, 2026
Memorial Day (1 day)
Monday, May 25, 2026
Juneteenth (1 day)
Friday, June 19, 2026
Holiday Pay Guidelines
- Non-union hourly employees who work on an observed College holiday will receive time-and-a-half pay in addition to straight-time holiday pay.
- Non-union hourly employees may opt to take another paid day off during the same week. Hours worked on the holiday will count as overtime.
- Exempt (salaried) employees required to work on a College holiday will receive compensatory time off.
Holidays are considered paid holidays only if they fall within your regular work schedule.
Religious and Spiritual Holidays
Throughout the year, members of our community observe a variety of religious and spiritual holidays. In keeping with the College’s commitment to inclusivity and respect, we share this information to support those celebrating these holidays.
How You Can Help
- Familiarize yourself with holidays using the CRSL Calendar.
- Minimize scheduling conflicts and provide appropriate foods during celebrations.
- Staff may request time off through their managers, using personal time as needed.
For additional information, please visit the Religious Life page.
Summer Office Hours
- Start Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (following the holiday).
- Regular Office Hours Resume: Monday, August 17, 2026.
If you have questions regarding holiday schedules, pay, or religious accommodations, please contact Human Resources or your Department Head.
Download a PDF of the Full-Year Appointment 2025-26 Holiday Calendar
Administrative & Administrative Support Staff with LESS Than 12-Month Appointments (academic year)
Labor Day (1 day)
Monday, September 1, 2025
Thanksgiving (3 days)
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Friday, November 28, 2025
Winter Break (10 days)
Monday, December 22, 2025
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Friday, December 26, 2025
Monday, December 29, 2025
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Friday, January 2, 2026
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (1 day)
Monday, January 19, 2026
Memorial Day (1 day, if scheduled to work)
Monday, May 25, 2026
Holiday Pay Guidelines
- Non-union hourly employees who work on an observed College holiday will receive time-and-a-half pay in addition to straight-time holiday pay.
- Non-union hourly employees may opt to take another paid day off during the same week. Hours worked on the holiday will count as overtime.
- Exempt (salaried) employees required to work on a College holiday will receive compensatory time off.
Holidays are considered paid holidays only if they fall within your regular work schedule.
Religious and Spiritual Holidays
Throughout the year, members of our community observe a variety of religious and spiritual holidays. In keeping with the College’s commitment to inclusivity and respect, we share this information to support those celebrating these holidays.
How You Can Help
- Familiarize yourself with holidays using the CRSL Calendar.
- Minimize scheduling conflicts and provide appropriate foods during celebrations.
- Staff may request time off through their managers, using personal time as needed.
For additional information, please visit the Religious Life page.
Recess Periods (7 days)
Fall Break (2 days)
Monday, October 13, 2025
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Spring Break (5 days)
Monday, March 16, 2026
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Friday, March 20, 2026
Work Schedules for Academic Year Staff
39-Week Schedule: Monday, August 18, 2025–Friday, May 22, 2026
Other 9-, 10-, or 11-Month Schedules: Work schedule dates vary
If you have questions regarding holiday schedules, pay, or religious accommodations, please contact Human Resources or your Department Head.
Download a PDF of the Academic-Year Appointment 2025-26 Holiday Calendar
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Smith College is committed both philosophically and legally to assuring access to all college programs and services. The college pursues the goal of equal access through proactive institutional planning and barrier removal, as well as through the provision of reasonable and appropriate accommodations to students, staff, and faculty with documented disabilities.
Smith College is prepared to modify or adjust a position or the work environment to make a reasonable accommodation to the known disability of an otherwise qualified employee to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job, unless:
- The accommodation would impose an undue hardship on business operations, i.e., an accommodation would be unduly costly, extensive, substantial, or disruptive, or would fundamentally alter the nature or operation of the business, or
- Even with a reasonable accommodation, the individual would still pose a direct threat of substantial harm to the health or safety of him/herself or others.
Determining What Is Reasonable
In determining whether a requested accommodation is reasonable, the College, specifically Human Resources, in consultation with the Accessibility Resource Center and with the employee’s supervisor as needed, will consider on a case-by-case basis whether such a request is feasible and effective, and does not create undue hardship and/or would fundamentally alter the nature of the college’s operation of its business.
Accommodation Request Policy
- Meet with your supervisor, Human Resources, the Accessibility Resource Center, or the Associate Dean of Faculty to discuss the disability and resulting needs.
- Complete a Voluntary Request for Reasonable Accommodation form and submit it to Human Resources.
- Have your healthcare provider submit the Attending Physician’s Statement to Human Resources. Additional documentation may be needed if there is an ongoing need for the accommodation.
- Human Resources will determine if a disability exists as defined under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- If a disability exists, Human Resources will gather additional information, as needed, to determine if the accommodation requested is reasonable.
- Human Resources or the Associate Dean of Faculty will communicate the results of the inquiry to you.
- If an accommodation is determined reasonable and necessary, Human Resources or the Associate Dean of Faculty will assist in either providing the requested accommodation or an equally effective alternative. Human Resources or the Associate Dean of Faculty will work with your supervisor or chair to facilitate the accommodation when appropriate. Reasonable accommodation does not negate requirements for good job performance or adherence to generally applicable standards of productivity or conduct.
- In the event there is a dispute concerning the disposition of the requested accommodation, you may appeal the decision to the Associate VP of Human Resources, the Director of Non-Discrimination Initiatives/Title IX Coordinator, or to the VP of Equity and Inclusion.
The College will be unable to provide an accommodation if an individual with a disability does not disclose and provide documentation of a disability and/or does not make a request with enough time to provide the accommodation. Every effort will be made to provide for requests determined reasonable, but an alternative may also be provided.
A workplace accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way in which a job is usually done that enables an individual with a disability who is otherwise qualified to perform a job to attain the same level of performance and to enjoy the same benefits and privileges of employment.
Generally speaking, accommodations are services, resources, adaptations, and restructuring which allow an individual with a disability to have equal access to something someone without a disability has access to. The umbrella term “accommodation” refers to auxiliary aids terminology often used for student accommodations) and employment-based services, resources, and adaptations. An institution is obligated to provide accommodations and/or auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities as defined by the ADA. However, the accommodation must be reasonable.
Although the ADA provides examples of different kinds of auxiliary aids and accommodations, all accommodations are determined on an individual basis after an examination of pertinent medical documentation or other appropriate documentation.
You may initially meet with your supervisor, Human Resources or the Accessibility Resource Center to discuss your accommodation request individually and to gain an explanation of the process. Once you have submitted the appropriate forms and Human Resources receives the verification of the medical or psychological condition from your health care professional, we will determine whether the condition is a disability under the ADA.
If the condition is protected by the ADA, Human Resources or the Accessibility Resource Center will then determine whether the requested workplace accommodation is appropriate and whether it will be effective in assisting you with your essential job functions. Supervisors and department chairs will be involved on an as-needed basis to assure implementation of proper accommodations. Accommodations cannot be provided retroactively.
The full Accommodation Request Process is posted on both the Accessibility Resource Center and Human Resources websites.
Unfortunately, the college will not be able to guarantee either reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aids to anyone who is unable to provide necessary medical documentation. Please speak to Human Resources, the Accessibility Resource Center, or the Associate Dean of Faculty for advice on acquiring documentation of your disability.
Documentation of a medical condition from a doctor does not automatically guarantee that you are covered by the ADA or that you will receive an accommodation. The determination of a disability and any reasonable accommodation under the law are made by the College.
Disability-related information, including medical documentation, is treated as confidential and access is limited to protect an employee’s privacy. Request for workplace accommodations and accompanying documentation will be kept in a confidential file separate from your personnel file.
If you need accommodations during the job application process, please complete the Employment Accommodation Request Form with the Office of Human Resources. Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis, considering an individual's challenges, the demands and responsibilities of the position, and the needs of the college.
Worksite Lactation Policy
Smith College is committed to creating a safe and a supportive environment to enable Smith community members time and space to express milk during business hours as needed.
For up to one year after the child’s birth, employees will be provided with reasonable break time as required to express breast milk during the workday. Employees who are returning from parental leave should speak with their manager or Human Resources Partner regarding these needs.
Smith College will provide a private area for community members to express milk. Community members must request/reserve a room by contacting hr@smith.edu. Rooms can be reserved in advance. Due to the limited number of designated lactation rooms on campus, please plan to reserve in advance to accommodate your specific needs.
Breaks to express milk will be paid for up to one year after the child’s birth. Time required for pumping should be covered by pumping breaks. Employees may not be required to use scheduled breaks or lunches to accommodate pumping needs.
Contact
For more information or if you have question about this policy, please contact Human Resources at hr@smith.edu
Additional Information
Smith College has two designated lactation rooms on campus so that community members may express milk during business hours. The designated lactation rooms are located in the following locations: Lilly Hall room B06, and Neilson room 302. The lactation rooms provide an electrical outlet, comfortable chair, and nearby access to hot running water and soap. The doors lock from the inside for privacy so you will not need a key for entry. Please leave the door open when you leave so that it is clear the room is available. Users are responsible for keeping the lactation rooms clean for the next user. If preferred, community members may also express their milk in their own private offices or other private spaces, or in other comfortable locations agreed upon in consultation with the employee’s manager.
If you are planning on using one of the lactation rooms on campus please contact hr@smith.edu and the calendar for that location will be shared with you. In order to avoid multiple people attempting to use the room at the same time we ask that you book the space on the calendar and display the calendar time as busy.
Employees shall be granted flexible and reasonable breaks to accommodate milk expression. Employees who wish to express milk during their workday should keep their manager informed of their needs so that appropriate accommodations can be made to satisfy the needs of both the employee and the department. Employees who feel their accommodations are not being supported are encouraged to contact their Human Resources Partner.
The Worksite Lactation Policy shall be disseminated to new employees during orientation. Information about breastfeeding support after returning to work shall also be provided to employees when they return from their Parental leave via the Human Resources website.