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
Benefit-eligible employees working at least 20 hours per week are eligible to receive
holiday pay. There is no waiting period for new employees - holiday pay is immediately available.
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.
Temporary Employees
Temporary employees are not eligible for holiday pay.
The university observes 12 holidays each year:
- New Year's Day (plus one day before or after)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Celebration of Alaska Civil Rights
- Friday of Spring Break
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day (plus one day before or after)
- Labor Day
- Fall Holiday
- Christmas Day (plus one day before or after)
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
Hard Closure
Each year, the university observes a hard closure during the winter break as a cost-savings
measure. 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. Official hard and soft closure
dates are provided each year from Human Resources. Some departments will need to work
over the hard closure. Please check with your supervisor regarding your work schedule
over the hard closure.
Soft Closure
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.
Benefit-Eligible, Non-Represented Employees
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.
Use it or Lose it
The personal holiday does not accrue or carry over into future fiscal years. It must
be used in the fiscal year it is awarded in.