Columbus Day: Rutgers Nb Takes A Break

Rutgers University in New Brunswick has a range of holiday closing schedules and paid time off options for its valued employees. However, it is unclear whether Rutgers New Brunswick has a day off for Columbus Day. While the university acknowledges the ongoing debate surrounding the holiday, with some professors weighing in on the discussion, there is no clear indication of whether the university closes for Columbus Day. The university's holiday and closing schedules for 2021 and 2022 are available, but they do not specifically mention Columbus Day.

The debate surrounding Columbus Day

Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday of October, is a federal holiday commemorating Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492. However, the holiday has always been steeped in controversy due to the violent colonisation and exploitation of Native Americans that followed.

The Arguments Against Columbus Day

Native American groups and their supporters argue that the holiday celebrates a man who promoted the colonisation and exploitation of indigenous people. They highlight the violent and brutal treatment of Native Americans by Columbus and other European settlers, including enslavement, forced conversion to Christianity, and the introduction of diseases that devastated native populations.

Some argue that Columbus did not "discover" America, as it was already inhabited by indigenous people, and that he never actually set foot on the continental United States. Additionally, critics assert that the so-called ""Columbian exchange" amounted to biological warfare, with devastating consequences for native populations.

The Alternative: Indigenous Peoples' Day

Beginning in 1991, dozens of cities and several states have adopted Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of Columbus Day. This holiday celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Native Americans, recognising their survival and resilience in the face of centuries of brutality and injustice. Proponents of this change argue that it is a way to honour the victims of American colonisation and give due recognition to the overlooked history and accomplishments of indigenous peoples.

The Argument for Retaining Columbus Day

On the other hand, some Italian Americans view Columbus Day as a celebration of their heritage. They argue that the holiday honours the history of Italian immigration to the United States and that Columbus himself is a symbol of Italian cultural pride. They claim that celebrating Columbus Day helped Italian immigrants gain acceptance in American society.

A Complex Issue

Holiday closings for 2021 and 2022

Rutgers University, including the New Brunswick campus, observes a number of holidays and closings throughout the year. Here is a detailed overview of the university holiday closings for 2021 and 2022:

2021 Holiday Closings:

• Friday, January 1, 2021
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Monday, January 18, 2021
• Monday, May 31, 2021
• Monday, July 5, 2021
• Monday, September 6, 2021
• Thursday, November 25, 2021, and Friday, November 26, 2021 (Day after Thanksgiving)
• Friday, December 24, 2021
• Mandatory Floating Holiday/Mandatory Leave: Monday, December 27, 2021, to Thursday, December 30, 2021

2022 Holiday Closings:

• Friday, December 31, 2021
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Monday, January 17, 2022
• Monday, May 30, 2022
• Friday, June 17, 2022
• Monday, July 4, 2022
• Monday, September 5, 2022
• Thursday, November 24, 2022, and Friday, November 25, 2022 (Day after Thanksgiving)
• Monday, December 26, 2022, to Friday, December 30, 2022 (Mandatory Floating Holiday/Mandatory Leave)

Please note that personnel required for emergency, security, and special purposes will be asked to remain on duty according to established schedules.

Holiday closings for 2023-2024

Rutgers University has released its holiday closing schedules for 2023 and 2024. While the university does not mention Columbus Day specifically, it does provide a list of holidays for which it will be closed.

2023 Holiday Closings

According to the 2023 University Holiday Closings Schedule, Rutgers University will be closed on the following dates:

• Monday, January 2, 2023
• Monday, January 16, 2023 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• Monday, May 29, 2023
• Friday, June 16, 2023
• Tuesday, July 4, 2023 (Independence Day)
• Monday, September 4, 2023
• Thursday, November 23, 2023 (Day after Thanksgiving)
• Friday, November 24, 2023
• Monday, December 25, 2023
• Tuesday, December 26, 2023 to Friday, December 29, 2023 (Mandatory Floating Holiday/Mandatory Leave)

2024 Holiday Closings

The 2024 University Holiday Closings Schedule lists the following dates for closure:

• Monday, January 1, 2024 (New Year's Day)
• Monday, January 15, 2024 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• Monday, May 27, 2024
• Friday, June 21, 2024
• Thursday, July 4, 2024 (Independence Day)
• Monday, September 2, 2024
• Thursday, November 28, 2024 (Day after Thanksgiving)
• Friday, November 29, 2024
• Wednesday, December 25, 2024
• Thursday, December 26, 2024 to Tuesday, December 31, 2024 (Mandatory Floating Holiday/Mandatory Leave)

Paid time off options

Rutgers University offers a range of paid time off options for its employees, recognising the importance of a healthy work-life balance. These options are designed to promote physical and mental well-being, allowing employees to recharge and relax.

Vacation Days

Vacation days can be used as they are earned, with accrual rates based on employee classification and length of service. Employees earn vacation days for each full calendar month of service, and future increases in accrual rates are based on the same factors. 10-month staff members accrue vacation time only from September to June, but if their employment changes to 12-months, they will accrue paid time off during July and August as well. Part-time staff accrue prorated vacation time based on their part-time percentage. Employees can carry over a maximum of one year's allotment of accrued vacation time, and this time must be approved and scheduled in advance.

Administrative Leave

Administrative leave is available for employees to manage special circumstances. It can be used for emergencies, religious observances, and personal business, excluding university holidays.

Personal Holidays

Staff members become eligible for personal holiday time after 6 full calendar months of employment. Full-time 12-month staff members receive 2 personal holiday days after 6 months, and then 2 more on July 1 of each fiscal year. Full-time 10-month staff members also receive 2 personal holiday days, and part-time staff receive a prorated amount based on their part-time percentage. Personal holidays are not cumulative and must be used by the end of the fiscal year.

Sick Time

Sick time accrual rates vary for full-time and part-time employees. 10-month staff members only receive sick time from September to June. Part-time staff receive a prorated amount based on their part-time percentage. Sick time is cumulative and can be carried over from year to year without limitation. There is no cash payment for unused sick time, except upon retirement.

Bereavement Leave

Employees who experience a death in the family may take a limited period of absence from work without loss of pay. The length of this absence depends on employee classification and family relationship.

Jury Duty

Rutgers grants time off with full pay to staff members who are required to serve jury duty or are subpoenaed to appear as witnesses for university-related matters.

Holiday closings schedules and guidelines

Holiday Closing Schedules and Guidelines

Rutgers University offers a comprehensive paid time off program that includes vacation days, personal holidays, and sick time, allowing employees to achieve a healthy work-life balance. The university also observes certain holidays and closes its campuses accordingly.

For the 2021 and 2022 University Holiday and Closings Schedule, Rutgers University observed the following holidays:

• New Year's Day (Friday, January 1, 2021)
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, January 18, 2021, and Monday, January 17, 2022)
• Memorial Day (Monday, May 31, 2021, and Monday, May 30, 2022)
• Independence Day (Monday, July 5, 2021, and Monday, July 4, 2022)
• Labor Day (Monday, September 6, 2021, and Monday, September 5, 2022)
• Thanksgiving Day and the day after (Thursday, November 25, 2021, and Friday, November 26, 2021; Thursday, November 24, 2022, and Friday, November 25, 2022)
• Winter Break (Friday, December 24, 2021, and Monday, December 26, 2022)

Additionally, mandatory floating holidays/mandatory leave days were observed from Tuesday, December 28, 2021, to Thursday, December 30, 2021, and from Tuesday, December 27, 2022, to Friday, December 30, 2022.

While Columbus Day is not specifically mentioned in the 2021-2022 holiday closing schedule, the university has engaged in a debate about reconsidering Columbus Day, with Native American experts weighing in on the discussion.

The Rutgers Psychology Child Development Center also has its own schedule of closings for the 2023-2024 school year, which includes Independence Day, winter break from December 22, 2023, to January 1, 2024, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day/Staff Professional Development Day, and more.

Rutgers University prioritizes the well-being of its employees and students, and its holiday closing schedules reflect this commitment.

Frequently asked questions