University Closures

Most University of Arizona departments close or reduce operations during University closure days. All full benefits-eligible academic-year faculty on appointment receive closure pay only for the day after Thanksgiving because they are not scheduled to work during the winter closure period.

  • All full benefits-eligible fiscal-year employees will receive paid University closure time during the closure days.

University Closure Dates (2024)

  • Thanksgiving closure: Nov. 29 (1 day)
  • Winter closure: Dec. 26–31 (4 days)

University of Arizona Holiday Calendar (PDF).

Holiday & Closure Pay

To be paid for the holidays and University closure days, employees must be on “approved paid status” on the day before and day after the closure. This means they must be in the University payroll system and either at work or on prearranged paid leave (such as vacation).

University Closure Compensation Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you do not need to do anything if your unit observes closure. Time will be automatically entered into your time sheet as follows:

Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and January 1 = Holiday Time

The day after Thanksgiving and University closure days = Closure Time 

Units whose work requires that they remain open during either or both University closure periods.

Based on critical need, supervisors may request approval from the senior vice president for Business Affairs to allow their department to stay open, or certain employees within a department may be instructed to remain at work. These decisions are made by the supervisor, not individual employees.

Those who will be working during University closure periods should report normal work hours and work with their supervisor to use University closure days at a convenient time before June 30 of the following year.

Employees who do not observe the University closure will be compensated as they would be on any other scheduled workday. They should work with their supervisor to use the University closure days at a mutually convenient time before the end of the next fiscal year (June 30).

No. A unit's management establishes the work schedules for its employees. Employees are not authorized to make an exception to the University Closure Policy unless their supervisor directs them to work in order to meet departmental business needs.

Consult the Payroll processing calendars or contact Payroll Customer Service at FNSV-Payroll-Info@arizona.edu or 520-621-9097.

University closure time is not payable on separation from University employment. If you were required to work during a University closure and received University closure time in compensation, you should use those hours prior to your last day of employment.

If your position is subject to University closure, then you are not scheduled to work during those days. You will receive University closure time for closure days.

If your position is not subject to University closure because your department remains open, then you would be scheduled to work. In this case you may continue using CTL for eligible absences.

Yes. According to the Holidays policy you must work or be on an "approved paid status" on your last scheduled workday before and first scheduled workday after a holiday to receive pay for that holiday. If you are receiving CTL, you are in an "approved paid status" because you are being paid through the University payroll system. For University Thanksgiving closure, you must receive CTL on both (a) your last scheduled workday immediately before Thanksgiving Day and (b) your first scheduled workday after Thanksgiving Day. For University closure, you must be receiving CTL on your last scheduled workday before the Christmas Eve holiday and (b) your first scheduled workday immediately after the New Year's Day holiday. Alternatively, you may receive CTL on the last scheduled workday before Christmas Eve and return to work on the first scheduled workday after January 1.

The University closure periods and the paid holidays of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day do not count against FML if your department is closed and the employee would not report to work. 

If the employee's position is not subject to University closure because your department remains open, FML should be charged for days the employee is absent from scheduled work.

The University closure days and paid holidays of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day do not count as FML time.

Employees whose position is subject to University closure will receive paid University closure time for the day after Thanksgiving and the non-holiday days between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

If the employee's position is not subject to the University closure because the department remains open, FML should be charged for qualifying absences from scheduled work.

If you are in paid status on the day before University closure (i.e., actively at work or on vacation or sick leave), you will be paid for the closure days and the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day holidays, but not for New Year's Day.

No. Student employees must be paid in the same pay period in which they work the hours. 

Do you need more assistance? 

Connect with HR Solutions
Phone: 520-621-3660
Email: hrsolutions@arizona.edu