Labor Day has been a federal holiday since 1894. Virginia Tech traditionally doesn't observe it, but not all Labor Days coincide with a visit from the defending national champions.
From Virginia Tech president Timothy D. Sands:
'Tis true. Classes on Labor Day are canceled. We will consider a calendar change for future years, observing this natl. holiday.
— Timothy D Sands (@VTSandsman) July 20, 2015
Ohio State and Virginia Tech are set to open their seasons on Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. The Virginia Tech students were likely to be rowdy anyway, but now all but the scholarly elite can start drinking unimpeded at 6 a.m.
Should be a fun one in Blacksburg.
Here's Sands' full release, via Chris Coleman of TechSideline.com:
Dear Colleagues,
Virginia Tech has long held classes on Labor Day, a national holiday, sometimes creating scheduling problems for university offices and scheduled classes. This year several major events will be held on campus including a nationally televised football game at 8 p.m. Other as yet unannounced major events may also add significantly to campus traffic loads.
Accordingly and in consultation with the provost and academic leadership, I am cancelling all classes on Labor Day, September 7, and closing all offices for all campuses, except those that must be open for selected operations. Essential emergency personnel are required to work as determined by department heads. We explored options to make up this lost day in the fall semester calendar, but every option available this year presents additional challenges, especially for laboratory sections. Hence, we will not make up the lost day in the semester calendar this year.
Concurrently, I am directing the provost to begin a review within appropriate university governance committees to identify alternatives for making up class time, should we elect to not hold classes on future Labor Day holidays. Frankly, I have found it odd that Virginia Tech holds classes on this important national holiday, unlike many other major universities where it is not a class day.
To the faculty, we look to you to design accommodations for this loss of an instructional day in the fall calendar. I trust this advance notice provides you ample time.
Sincerely,
Tim Sands
President
