All campus buildings will be open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Good Friday, April 8.
“First of all, Good Friday is not a state holiday,” Director of Library Services Ann Holder said. “There is truly a difference between a religious holiday and a holiday that is recognized by the state.”
Students will not have classes on Good Friday, allowing them to have time to travel for Easter weekend. However, the faculty and staff does not get the full day off.
“I don’t have a problem with working on Good Friday,” Holder said. “I know that everybody will be happy to have the half day off.”
The half day allows staff to make plans for Easter weekend. It gives them more time for travel or for preparation.
“Having the extra hours is beneficial,” Holder said. “I think everyone just needs to look at the fact that the campus is giving us some of the hours off so that we have time to do the things that we want to do.”
This is not the first time campus has closed early on Good Friday. The library staff posts notices of the early closing time to prevent students from being surprised.
“We find that there are a number of students that don’t go home over Easter weekend,” Holder said. “There have been students who have come to the library on Good Friday in the past so I don’t expect it to change. I fully expect to see students as we walk out of the building.”
The extra time off will not affect the workload of the library. The university also accommodates employees who have celebrations to attend.
“Being open doesn’t help us get more done, and closing isn’t going to affect the workload,” Holder said. “The people that work in the library have very positive attitudes about working. They are glad that they are getting the time off.”
The university is not required to allow time off for employees for Good Friday. The SHSU president’s office worked in advance to make this happen for the staff.
“I don’t see it as a major event,” Holder said. “I am very happy that the staff will have time to get ready for all of the things they have to do on Easter weekend.”