Laboring on Labor Day
The lazy days of summer usually end with a Labor Day barbecue, a trip to the beach and a day off from school or work. But not at the University.
Instead of frolicking in the precious sunlight of the waning summer, students, professors and other University employees headed to class and work yesterday.
"I hate working on Labor Day," third-year Engineering student Jim Klabmust said under his breath from behind the Newcomb Hall information desk.
"Class is alright," Klabmust said, explaining that he was more upset about having to come to work at Newcomb. "I didn't really realize it until halfway through the day."
Some students felt sympathy for their professors and University employees.
"I think it's unfortunate for the teachers, but I don't really care" about having classes on Labor Day, fourth-year College student Robert Mitchell said.
Fourth-year College student Yusung Kim said she also felt bad for University employees who had to come to work, but was not bitter about having to attend classes.
"I'd probably be doing errands, going to Wal-Mart" if there were no classes, Kim said.
But new students who are reeling in the shock of the lost holiday should be warned - Labor Day is not the only casualty. The University also stays open on Columbus Day and President's Day.
"It's a matter of not compressing the schedule too much," Asst. Provost Wynne Stuart said. "We haven't been in school for a week yet. We need to get on our way."
The provost's office sets the University calendar, which is then approved by the University president's office. Stuart explained that the logic for the lack of holidays is to avoid having to start school earlier and prevent ending the semester too close to Christmas.
She said that it is up to the individual academic departments about how heavily to staff their offices on Labor Day and other holidays.
But for Stuart, working on Labor Day is business as usual.
"This is my life," she said of her work in the provost's office and advising undergraduate students. "It's fine."
After 25 years at the University, Stuart said, "people always grumble ... We hope people can take this in stride."
- Julie Hofler
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