It was with great dismay that I read in your paper an article about how the Faculty Senate Executive Committee voted to amend the academic calendar to have classes on Labor Day and the autumn Jewish holidays. While the reasoning put forth by the faculty members who voted for these amendments is understandable, these amendments end up causing more harm than good.
First, by having classes on Labor Day, we lose an opportunity to reflect on the rights that labor activists fought for and developed over the course of our history. Considering the importance that many professors place on the virtues of the working man, one would think the faculty of the University at Buffalo would want their students to have this time off. Yes, it may be disruptive to the academic schedule in some respects because it happens so early in the academic year, but it gives us a tangible connection to the labor movement within the United States.
Second, how does having classes on the autumn Jewish holidays enable a productive educational environment? By having classes on two of the most important Jewish holidays of they year, we force the sizeable Jewish population on this campus to decide between its faith and studies. This is not a decision any person should have to make. Sadly, many students at UB are already forced to make this decision on days like Good Friday. Forcing more students to make these decisions will only compound the situation and make an already lamentable situation worse.
Further, the statements made by Edward Herman were quite uninformed. On a regular basis, professors schedule exams and project due dates on religious holidays. In particular, I personally have had examinations scheduled on the first day of the Jewish holiday of Passover, have had many projects due on Good Friday and have taken many classes that mandate attendance on a variety of religious holidays. UB is already interfering with religious observation that is harmful to the academic success of its students.
If, as Mr. Herman implies, such infringement is a violation of New York State law, then the proposed changes to the academic calendar will only harm the university.
As an institution that champions cultural sensitivity and progressive values, the University at Buffalo should be striving to provide its students with a world-class education while maintaining a level of cultural awareness that enables its students to be knowledgeable world citizens. The proposed amendments to the academic calendar would only harm that education, and they show the university has little appreciation for the positions they champion. This will only serve to damage the reputation of the university and make students rethink their commitment to attending the flagship of the SUNY system.
Joshua Anbar
Jewish Student
Photo: The Spectrum Archives
