On Aug. 27 the Simpson College Cabinet decided that, starting in 2025, Simpson will no longer hold classes on Labor Day.
Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students, Matt Hansen, spoke about the reasons behind the change.
“The decision was made, and really it was the desire to look at the calendar in two areas as to what makes the most sense for students, for the college and the employees,” Hansen said. “Historically, the decision had been made from a retention standpoint that a three-day weekend, really the first week of classes, made it potentially challenging for a student.”
Although the original decision had benefits for faculty in the long run, President Byers decided it would be more beneficial to have the day off. “The president looked at that and said there’s a lot of people who work really hard and need a three-day weekend,” Hansen said.
The other reason behind the decision referred to the Easter holiday that comes around in the spring semester of the academic school year. “In Spring of ’26, Good Friday will be off instead of Easter Monday, which kind of lines up more with other institutions,” Hansen said.
In lieu of classes on Labor Day, the college plans to host an event that will allow students who might not have a chance to go home for the weekend to enjoy their holiday.
President Byers said, “I wanted to make sure that we are going to host a picnic celebration on Labor Day for any students that stay on campus, and that any staff member who works that day will get a floating holiday.”
With all there is to factor into the decision, Hansen feels that the college is moving in the right direction. “I think we’re in a pretty good spot and we’re very well connected with our students, so I think that this is overall a really good decision.”
Prior to this change, many students were opposed to having classes on Labor Day. One of those students was junior Ben Gilbert Binder, who wanted to use his free time to visit family. “It’s hard being in sports and finding the time to go home,” Binder said. “It also seems a little unfair for the faculty to have to work on Labor Day, especially if they have a family of their own they have to take care of.”
Co-Department Chair of Chemistry/Physics, Lindsay Ditzler, felt the decision was much needed, as some faculty, “have been very vocal.” As a mother of two children, Ditzler finds the change helpful in balancing her work and home life on the federal holiday.
“For me, that aspect of it just makes my home life align a little better,” Ditzler said. “I think that some students make the choice to take the holiday either way.”
With her newfound time around Labor Day next year, Ditzler plans to spend it with her family. “I might be doing something with my family to celebrate my anniversary for the first time in a while,” Ditzler said.
