The University of South Carolina observes the same number of holidays as other state agencies even though the days on which the holidays are observed may differ because of the academic schedule. When a university holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday the holiday will be observed on the preceding Friday, or the following Monday.
Holiday Schedules
The following dates have been approved as the official university holidays in 2018 and 2019.
2018 Holiday Schedule
| New Year's Day | Monday, January 1, 2018 |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Monday, January 15 |
| National Memorial Day | Monday, May 28 |
| Independence Day | Wednesday, July 4 |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 3 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 22 |
| Day After Thanksgiving | Friday, November 23 |
| Christmas Eve | Monday, December 24 |
| Christmas Day | Tuesday, December 25 |
| Day After Christmas | Wednesday, December 26 |
| December Holiday | Thursday, December 27 |
| December Holiday | Friday, December 28 |
| December Holiday | Monday, December 31 |
| New Year’s Day (first 2019 holiday) | Tuesday, January 1 2019 |
2019 Holiday Schedule
| New Year's Day | Tuesday, January 1, 2019 |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Monday, January 21 |
| National Memorial Day | Monday, May 27 |
| Independence Day | Thursday, July 4 |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 2 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 28 |
| Day After Thanksgiving | Friday, November 29 |
| Christmas Eve | Tuesday, December 24 |
| Christmas Day | Wednesday, December 25 |
| Day After Christmas | Thursday, December 26 |
| December Holiday | Friday, December 27 |
| December Holiday | Monday, December 30 |
| December Holiday | Tuesday, December 31 |
| New Year’s Day (first 2020 holiday) | Wednesday, January 1, 2020 |
Eligibility
University employees have the same number of paid holidays as other State employees even though the days on which the holidays are observed may differ because of the academic schedule.
Holiday Leave
Holidays are to be taken on the day designated in the university holiday schedule unless it is necessary for the employee to be at work. To the extent possible, prior notice will be given to employees who must work on holidays. All holiday leave must be reported through the university’s time and attendance management system (iTAMS) or other applicable time recording system. For more information about entering time, or for additional details about holiday leave, please visit the Policies and Procedures section of this site.