St. John's University Cancels 'Columbus Day' Amidst Controversy

St. John's University Ditches 'Columbus Day' for 'Fall Mini-Break'

St. John's University, New York's largest Catholic university, has sparked outrage by removing "Christopher Columbus Day" from its academic calendar, replacing it with a generic "fall mini-break." The decision has drawn criticism from Italian-American civic leaders and alumni, who see it as a disservice to the explorer's legacy.

Angelo Vivolo, president of the Columbus Heritage Coalition, voiced his frustration: "To not acknowledge Columbus is insane. Of course it’s an insult." Former Assemblyman Peter Abbate, a St. John's alumnus, echoed these sentiments: "It’s outrageous not acknowledging Columbus. They might as well call St. John’s University, John’s University. They get an `F’ for trying to be cute about it."

St. John's defended the change, stating that the calendar is constrained by federal holidays and that the university observes Columbus Day through voluntary participation in city-wide celebrations. The university also cited a similar 2018 decision to extend the fall break, coinciding with Columbus Day.

This isn't the first time St. John's has faced controversy regarding its approach to historical figures. Notably, the university changed its sports teams' nickname from the "Redmen" to the "Red Storm" in the 1990s after critics argued its native American mascot was offensive.

The university's decision is part of a larger trend in the city and across the country to reevaluate the legacy of Christopher Columbus. The city government, under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, replaced Columbus Day with Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day. Many other universities, including Notre Dame, Fordham, and Manhattan, have also opted for neutral or inclusive language in their calendars, opting for terms like "fall break" or "Indigenous Peoples' Day."

St. Francis College in Brooklyn has attempted to bridge the divide by calling the holiday "Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day." However, other institutions, such as CUNY and SUNY, have simply designated the day as a university closure without mentioning Columbus.

The ongoing debate over Columbus Day is a reflection of America's evolving understanding of its history and its treatment of indigenous populations. While some celebrate Columbus' exploration, others point to the devastating impact of colonization on Native American communities.