Drake Human Resources has updated the University Holiday Schedule webpage, adding paid holidays during fiscal year 2024. And we have some exciting news to share: Because July 4 falls on a Tuesday this year, the President’s Council has approved Monday, July 3, to also be a holiday (July 3 and 4 will both be university holidays in 2023)!

But wait, there’s more! Next year, July 4 is on a Thursday. And the President’s Council has already approved Friday, July 5, 2024 as a holiday (July 4 and 5 will both be university holidays in 2024).

Chief Administration Officer, Venessa Macro, shares, “Extending the 4th of July holiday for the next two years was supported fully by the President’s Council. With just a day between the holiday and the weekend, this extension offered an opportunity to say thanks to those who work during the summer to maintain operations and prepare for a new academic year.”

The July 4th holiday will not always land on a Tuesday or a Thursday, but it does for two years in a row. We hope that these additional holidays will empower those working during the summer to appreciate some additional time off, enjoy the company of friends and family, travel, relax, or do absolutely nothing.

The Holiday Schedule has been updated with all observed holidays for the next two fiscal years. As a convenient practice—consider having someone in your department send “Holiday” invites to your entire department. This way everyone has the holidays on their calendars. This is a helpful way to avoid accidentally scheduling meetings on, say, Labor Day. This practice will also aid managers in assessing vacation requests and staffing needs throughout the year.

A big thank you to the President’s Council for making this decision and to those of you who asked that this very decision be considered.

Sharing ideas, suggestions, and recommendations is welcomed. Please feel invited and encouraged to share anything that may be human resources-related with us. You are welcome to contact us at drakehr@drake.edu. We do have an anonymous customer service survey you could access to share ideas as well (just skip to the Comments and Suggestions box).

— Maureen De Armond, Human Resources