Academic and HSC Shared Services

Holiday Schedule 2026-2027
(Academic)

The Texas Legislature sets the number of paid holidays each year and allows universities the flexibility to set a holiday schedule compatible with business needs and the academic calendar. The FY27 holiday schedule is:

Holiday	Date	Status
Labor Day	Monday, Sept. 7, 2026	Closed
Thanksgiving Day	Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026	Closed
Day after Thanksgiving	Friday, Nov. 27, 2026	Closed
Christmas Day	Friday, Dec. 25, 2026	Closed
New Year’s Day	Friday, Jan. 1, 2027	Closed
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	Monday, Jan. 18, 2027	Closed
Memorial Day	Monday, May 31, 2027	Closed
Day after Independence Day	Monday, July 5, 2027	Closed

UT Tyler Main Campus Employees

Winter break is observed between December 24, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Holiday hours for winter break will be pre-loaded into the system for all eligible employees.

UT Tyler Health Science Center Employees

Five (5) floating holidays (40 hours) will be awarded for FY 2026-2027. These floating holidays may be used any time during the fiscal year, with department leader approval. Floating holidays that are not used on or before the end of the current fiscal year (August 31, 2027) will be forfeited. Floating holiday hours will not be paid when an employee leaves employment. NOTE: For Integrated Departments, department leaders will determine and communicate staffing needs for their department during days clinical operations are open.

Religious Holidays:

It is the policy of UT Tyler to provide reasonable accommodation to employees who wish to observe a religious holiday that occurs on a day the University is scheduled to be open. Employees who wish to observe a religious holiday or holy day should refer to the policy.

Winter Break Holiday Schedule Revised For Academic Employees of UT Tyler Main Campus

The University has awarded holiday hours to observe winter break for benefits-eligible employees. These hours have been pre-loaded into the Absence Management system (UT Tyler Main Campus employees) to document time out during the observed winter break, December 24, 2026, through December 31, 2026. UT Tyler Health Science Center Academic employees continue to use their Floating Holidays if they are not scheduled to work during this period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible for floating holiday leave?

Any employee who is eligible to be a member of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), or Optional Retirement Package (ORP) and required to work at least 20 hours per week, or appointed to at least 50% of a full-time appointment, in a position that is expected to last at least four- and one-half months, will receive the approved floating holidays.

What does “pre-loaded” mean

Hours being pre-loaded means the Human Resources department will be entering these hours for the days December 24, 2025, through December 31, 2026. Employees do not need to request time off for approval, in Absence Management, for taking days off during this period.

I am a non-exempt employee, if I work, how do I enter it on my timesheet?

Eligible employees who work during the winter break will need to enter actual time work on their timesheet. The system calculates the equivalent hours worked and employees will receive comp time. Going forward, with supervisory approval, employees may take time off and use the comp time during the year before August 31, 2026.

Eligible employees who take time off between December 24, 2025, and December 31, 2026, who do not work any hours, will not need to do anything with their timesheet.

Can I work during the winter break?

Department leaders will determine and communicate staffing needs for their department.

Can I telecommute / work remote during this period?

Department leaders will determine and pre-approve any off-site remote work schedules. Appropriate remote work arrangement requests and approvals should be submitted prior the effective period.