No break for George’s sake

Some students might be wondering why classes are still in session Monday even though it is Presidents Day.

Also known as Washington’s Birthday, Presidents Day became a federal holiday in 1885.

Gary Shutt, OSU Director of Communications, said classes must be in session on Presidents Day because they are cancelled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“We have to be in session a certain amount of days and (Presidents Day) is a day we have elected to have class,” Shutt said. “Most schools made that decision when Martin Luther King Day became a federal holiday.”

David Stout, a chemical engineering freshman, said he understands why we are not out of school and most K-12 schools are, including Tulsa Public Schools and Edmond Public Schools.

“We do everything in a shorter amount of time, unlike public schools,” Stout said.

It would be better to end the semester earlier, than to be out of school for every holiday, Stout said.

“It’s harder for universities to close campus, because we would be behind,” Stout said. “It’s better to continually learn.”

Shondra Fischer, a computer engineering junior, also said she understands why classes aren’t cancelled, but thinks a day off would be nice.

“It might be nice because it’s in the middle of the semester, but one day isn’t a big deal,” Fischer said.