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Oregon State apologizes for starting class on Yom Kippur

In brief

Published: Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Updated: Wednesday, September 30, 2009

While University students got an extra day of rest in observance of Yom Kippur on Monday before classes started, Oregon State University held classes without regard for the Jewish holiday.
 

It was a move that drew criticism from Jewish leaders and others in Corvallis and an apology from the school.
 

“We obviously missed the boat on this,” OSU Community and Diversity Director Terryl Ross told the Corvallis Gazette-Times.
 

Corvallis community members responded angrily to the move.
 

“The comparison isn’t exact, but this is a little like scheduling the first day of class on Christmas,” a Gazette-Times editorial read. “It’s a scheduling embarrassment for OSU and most of the other schools in the Oregon University System.”
 

However, the editorial then praised the school’s apology. The Oregon University System plans not to schedule the first day of classes on the holiday again.

news@dailyemerald.com

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5 comments

Ian
Thu Oct 1 2009 06:35
Does the Israeli university system respect non-Jewish religious holidays?
Your name
Wed Sep 30 2009 23:03
This is why it is important to hire a diverse workforce. Had they actually had someone Jewish on the staff that was in charge of these decisions this would never have happened. Don-do you even know what Yom Kippur is?
Sabrina
Wed Sep 30 2009 18:20
Wow, Don...great cultural sensitivity there...NOT! A person's deeply held religious beliefs are not just "small stuff." You need to get over yourself and start showing some respect for other people different beliefs and cultures.
Reader
Wed Sep 30 2009 15:12
Don- I don't know about OSU, but here at UO, many courses have mandatory attendance for the first two days of class and if you miss one of those two, you are removed from the course so that other students who want it may get in. By scheduling classes on an important Jewish holiday, students who did not attend courses due to their faith could have lost their spots in some courses. I am an atheist, but even I am appalled by the fact that you seem to think Yom Kippur holds the same importance as MJ's birthday. Maybe through education someday you will be enlightened enough to actually be tolerant and respectful of others. I doubt it though. Usually one has to have a bit of compassion in order to be respectful or tolerant.
Don
Wed Sep 30 2009 10:07
So What...
I f the students didn't want to come, they didn't have to. First day is usually just going over the syllabus anyway. Why don't we have a holiday on Michael Jacksons B-day as well? Too much gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands over small stuff.
get over it






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