Veterans Day not acknowledged on USD’s academic calendar

This federal holiday hasn’t been recognized in 35 years at USD

RACHEL CEPE / CONTRIBUTOR / THE USD VISTA

Every year on Nov. 11, a majority of schools and work industries take the day off to recognize Veterans Day – a federal holiday that remembers the sacrifices of countless soldiers. However, USD has not recognized this day in over 35 years; the main reason as to why is simply because of planning problems.

Dr. Roger Pace Ph.D, who serves as both the Interim Vice Provost and the Chair of the University calendar, explained the challenges that come with recognizing Veterans Day on the calendar.

“It is an incredibly difficult holiday to take off. It moves around in the week.” Pace said. “Veterans Day can be any day of the week from Sunday to Saturday. It makes it difficult to schedule and it comes just before Thanksgiving.”

Trying to fit this holiday within the school calendar means that everything has to change as a result. This is because of the credit hour policy, which sets the amount of minutes students should be in a classroom. Essentially, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes have to meet 41 times; while Tuesday and Thursday classes have to meet 28 times during a roughly 14 week semester. 

Dr. Pace explained some of the ways Veterans Day could be integrated into the calendar.

“We could put Veterans Day in, but it would mean starting earlier in the summer and making people’s summer vacations shorter,” Pace said.

There’s also an option that can include Veterans Day, however, by making the school year end later.  The University Senate, which is made up of faculty and administrators mandated that the school year goes no longer than Dec. 20, which poses a huge scheduling concern for students who plan on going home and buying plane tickets for the winter holiday season. Trying to fit the federal holiday into the academic calendar means there would have to be some tradeoffs.

Despite the challenges, there is still a considerable amount of interest on campus to put the holiday on the calendar. Two years ago, the Student Senate passed a resolution asking to observe Veterans Day, but due to COVID-19, the process slowed down and shifted the calendars majorly. Since calendars for the school year are planned out three years in advance, students and the USD community will not see Veteran’s Day marked on the calendar until 2023 at the earliest. 

Another option would be to excuse Veterans from attending classes. This would allow for Veterans to attend celebrations and memorials with family while everyone else is required to attend class. 

Although the day is not marked on USD’s academic calendar, it still does not change the fact that it is a federal holiday. First-year, Sofia Cacho, does not have any close ties with the military, but expressed how shocked she was from observing Veterans Day for 12 years of schooling to being a freshman in college and not having it off.

“I didn’t even know that we don’t get Veterans Day off. That’s usually a holiday every school observes, so it was shocking to me,” Cacho noted. “I do think that they (veterans) go through a lot and put a lot on the line so it’s honestly pretty important to acknowledge.”

Similarly, Jeremy Box, a current senior who served in the Marine Corps from 2010-2018 as an E5 sergeant and motor vehicle operator, was concerned about the absence of Veterans Day on the calendar.

“It’s the sacrifice that shouldn’t be taken for granted. I think a lot of veterans would appreciate having this day to relax, unwind, and reflect,” Box said. “It would be nice to have the university’s acknowledgement.” 

There is no doubt that veterans sacrifice an incredible amount of time and even their lives to serve the United States. With some even pursuing a higher education like Box. 

Justin Henderson, a senior and also a veteran, expressed the value of Veterans Day and some of the goals entailed within the day; it’s more than just a free day off.

 “We are considered a minority on campus, and a lot of it is because we are older adults that are coming through a private school system,” Henderson stated. “The ultimate goal is to be accepted as veterans and seen as people, not on a pedestal or anything like that, not that we think we do. It’s more of a recognition of who we are and what we bring to campus and bring to our student body. I think we do have a lot of value to add to the student body, which is why we go to school here.” 

According to the Military and Veterans Program and Dr. Pace, 10 percent of USD’s population is military connected, which is a significant amount. These students bring in so many different stories and backgrounds with them that contribute to building community at USD. 

The program is also hosting a ceremony and reception on Nov. 11. Not only does this event allow participants to recognize Veterans day, but it also connects Veterans with each other and with other students. 

As Nov. 11 approaches, USD students are reminded of the significance of Veterans Day. Despite not having the day off,  it is still important to respect veterans, as some of them are students here at USD.