This fall students on the SIU Carbondale campus will spend the first official day of the semester - not in class.
The start of the academic year coincides with the total solar eclipse on August 21st.
SIU is ground central for viewing the eclipse and Interim SIUC Chancellor Brad Colwell says the university owes it to students - especially the incoming freshman class to give them the university's undivided attention.
"There's going to be TV cameras, there's going to be people here from - I would guess - all 50 states, plus numerous international visitors, as well as dignitaries. So, it seems like there's going to be a whole lot going on, and I just can't have the distraction that takes away from our academic mission."
Colwell says he hopes the students will take part in all of the eclipse activities that will be happening on campus that day.
He says the delay in the first day of class will not change the university schedule for the rest of the Fall '17 semester.
