In observance of Labor Day, classes on Sept. 2 will not be taking place, giving students a chance to catch up on homework, hang out with friends or just relax. Students will return to campus on Sept. 2 at 8:30 p.m. 

Students who remain on campus for the weekend should note some other changes to campus during Labor Day as well. 

The Booth Library will be closed on Sept. 2 in observation of Labor Day. 

The Panther Shuttle will also not be running on Labor Day. 

EIU Lanes will not be closed for the holiday, but they will have shorter hours for the holiday weekend. The lanes will be open Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Labor Day from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The University Food Court will be open for regular hours over the weekend, but it will be closed on Labor Day.

Taylor Dining Hall, Stevenson Grill and Stevenson Tower Deli will be consolidated to Thomas Dining for Labor Day weekend. 

Thomas Dining Hall will open at 11 a.m. on Labor Day. 

The long weekend also gives Eastern students a chance to visit home.

Students from the Chicago suburbs can utilize the Bales Unlimited Bus service to travel home. 

All bus tickets are round trip, non-refundable and cost $79 per student, per round trip, said Rebekah Magee, a sophomore psychology major who works at the Ticket Office. 

According to Eastern’s website, the trips include stops in the following destinations: Matteson, Chicago Ridge, Oakbrook, Woodfield, Northbrook and Old Orchard. 

Tickets can be purchased over the phone at 581-5122, or at the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union at the ticket office located just outside the Food Court. 

“Regardless of if students purchase tickets over the phone or in person, they will have to pick up the tickets during the regular business hours of the office,” Magee said.  

The ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The bus will begin boarding at the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union at the corner of Seventh Street and Grant Avenue at 2:45 p.m. until 3 p.m. before moving on to Ninth Street, where they will board until 3:15 p.m. before departing. 

More information on the Eastern ticket booth and Chicago bus scheduling is available at the ticket office or on the Eastern website.

Zoë Donovan can be reached at 581-2812 or at zedonovan@eiu.edu.