This topic has been recently brought up a few times on this sub. Well, you will be happy to know that a faculty memo (from Dr. Newman, the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students) has just gone out reminding all faculty about the university policy regarding religious observations.

The following clarification was added (which was not present in the original memo sent earlier this semester):

We are still receiving questions in the Dean of Students Office regarding time off for student religious holiday observation. [...] It is appropriate for students to include some travel time to observe holidays at home or at places of worship off campus.

The memo then goes on to remind faculty that Diwali is this week, some Christian holidays are coming in April, and that final exams week next semester is during Ramadan. (All of that was previously included.)

I don't think anyone can really say what the immediate reason for the memo was, but it may have very well been part of the response to a certain syllabus. So don't say standing up for your rights never did anything! Even the smallest victories are victories.