Dallas College Board of Trustees approved the addition of three new holidays starting this academic year 2024-25 and onwards. Classes will be suspended on Veterans Day (Nov. 11), Cesar Chavez Day (March 28) and Juneteenth (June 19).
The board meeting was conducted on Tuesday, Oct 1, at 4:00 p.m., led by the chairperson, Paul Mayer. The consent for holiday revision under Policy Item No. 9.2.a. on the agenda was approved with no conflict of interest.
Senior Vice Provost of Academic Services, Greg Morris, stated that the holidays’ addition was carefully planned prior to the meeting. The suspension would not affect the minimum course hours for both full semester and flex courses.
Veterans Day is celebrated on Nov. 11, dedicated to all the veterans and military personnel. In a recent interview, Sheniqua Austin, program lead for military connected services, mentioned that the suspension for Veterans Day would greatly benefit the veterans and their families. She said, “The restaurants give free food the entire day, so if they are working or studying, they can’t really take advantage of the holiday and they can’t celebrate.”
The theme of this year’s Veterans Day is “A Legacy of Loyalty and Service” The Veterans Day National Celebration is held annually on Nov. 11 at Arlington National Cemetery in Fort Myer, VA. The parade is open to the public and the ceremony includes a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns, followed by a parade of colors conducted by veterans’ organizations at the Memorial Amphitheater.
President Joe Biden extended the 50th Vietnam War commemoration until Veterans Day to honor those who served between Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975. The official ceremony was held May 11-13 in Washington, D.C.
According to the study, “Stigma as a Barrier to Seeking Health Care Among Military Personnel with Mental Health Problems” (2015), around 60% of military personnel who suffer from mental health conditions do not seek help. Conditions range from PTSD, depression and trauma.
Various resources are available but due to the stigma regarding mental health, some veterans and military personnel are skeptical to reach out. The Veterans Crisis line can be reached by calling 988 and selecting 1 or texting 838255 for a confidential chat.
Brookhaven has a veterans office loacated in the S-Building in room S205, which assists military personnel and veterans from enrollment to employment. This office is also available as a safe space to relax or study.
Former president Barack Obama declared March 28 as Cesar Chavez Day to celebrate the resilience of Cesar Chavez and his supporters who fought for the rights of farmworkers and immigrants. The union empowered the farmworkers, ensuring that they have safe working conditions and the right to bargain. The Presidential Proclamation March 28, 2014 mentioned that when people promote justice and opportunity for all, it honors the dedication of Cesar Chavez.
Juneteenth, or Emancipation Day, is the newest federal holiday observed on June 19 that celebrates the freedom of slaves in Texas after the civil war. Former president Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, but slavery did not end until 1865.
Originally, Juneteenth was a small family and church-based gathering. It spread to Southern America and became more prominent in the 1920s. The celebration gained many supporters that advocated for Juneteenth to be recognized as an official federal holiday. The Senate and the House of Representatives the passed Juneteenth National Independence Day Act during the 117th congress on June 15-16, 2021 and was approved by president Joe Biden the following day.
