Brown U To Stop Observing Columbus Day - New Holiday Called 'Fall Weekend'

[The Straight Story]

Brown U To Stop Observing Columbus Day
Faculty Establishes New Holiday Called 'Fall Weekend'

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Brown University is taking the "Columbus Day" out of Columbus Day weekend.

The faculty voted at a meeting Tuesday to establish a new academic holiday in October called "Fall Weekend." The long weekend coincides with Columbus Day.

Hundreds of Brown students had asked the Providence school to stop observing Columbus Day, citing the explorer's violent treatment of Native Americans he encountered. Reiko Koyama, a sophomore who led the effort, said celebrating Columbus Day seemed inconsistent with Brown's values.

The change will take effect in in the fall. Brown will remain closed on Columbus Day, in part to avoid inconveniencing staff whose children might have the holiday off.

Many other colleges are open on Columbus Day but give students short breaks later in the semester.

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