Holidays

The university observes 12 paid holidays each year and grants a Personal Holiday to eligible employees. Review the drop down menus below for more detailed information on the UA paid holiday schedule.

Benefit-eligible employees working at least 20 hours per week are eligible to receive holiday pay. There is no waiting period for new employees. Temporary employees are not eligible for holiday pay. 

If an employee is not in paid status (i.e receiving a $0.00 paycheck) during the pay period in which a paid holiday falls, the employee will not receive the holiday pay. 

The university observes 12 holidays each year:

  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Celebration of Alaska Civil Rights
  • Friday of Spring Break  
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Fall Holiday 
  • Christmas Day 
  • The day before or after New Year's, Independence Day, and Christmas are also observed as holidays

These holidays apply to all eligible employees, except those whose special duties are essential to the safety and security of the university as determined by the chancellors. Union contracts may also govern holiday observance and pay. If you have questions, please reach out to ua-benefits@alaska.edu

Below is the holiday schedule for FY22, FY23, and FY24. 

Independence Day:
Monday, July 5, 2021 and Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Labor Day:
Monday, September 6, 2021

Fall Holiday:
Thursday, November 25, 2021 and Friday, November 26, 2021

Winter Holiday:
Thursday, December 23, 2021 and Friday, December 24, 2021

New Year’s Day:
Thursday, December 30, 2021 and Friday, December 31, 2021

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Celebration of Alaska Civil Rights:
Monday, January 17, 2022

Spring Recess: 
Friday, March 11, 2022 

Memorial Day:
Monday, May 30, 2022

Independence Day:
Monday, July 4, 2022 and Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Labor Day:
Monday, September 5, 2022

Fall Holiday:
Thursday, November 24, 2022 and Friday, November 25, 2022

Winter Holiday:
Friday, December 23, 2022 and Monday, December 26, 2022

New Year’s Day:
Friday, December 30, 2022 and Monday, January 2, 2023

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Celebration of Alaska Civil Rights:
Monday, January 16, 2023

Spring Recess: 
Friday, March 17, 2023

Memorial Day:
Monday, May 29, 2023

Independence Day:
Monday, July 3, 2023 and Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Labor Day:
Monday, September 4, 2023

Fall Holiday:
Thursday, November 23, 2023 and Friday, November 24, 2023

Winter Holiday:
Monday, December 25, 2023 and Tuesday, December 26, 2023

New Year’s Day:
Monday, January 1, 2024 and Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Celebration of Alaska Civil Rights:
Monday, January 15, 2024

Spring Recess:
Friday, March 15, 2024

Memorial Day:
Monday, May 27, 2024

Each year, the university observes a hard closure during the winter break as a cost-savings measure. Some departments will need to work over the hard closure. Please check with your supervisor regarding your work schedule over the hard closure. 

During hard closure, employees must use their annual leave, faculty time off, or leave without pay. The hard closure dates are typically the 3 business days between the Christmas day and New Year's day holidays. 

Soft closure is observed as well, pending supervisory approval. These are the dates prior to the Christmas day and immediately after the New Years day holidays. 

Official hard and soft closure dates are provided each year from Human Resources. 

After satisfying the six-month probation period, each benefit-eligible non-represented employee may select a Personal Holiday which must be approved by the immediate supervisor. The Personal Holiday cannot be used during the pay period in which July 1 falls.