Cynthia Teniente-Matson, president of Texas A&M University-San Antonio, announced Tuesday classes are canceled for Wednesday, Dec. 5. On what would have been the last class day of the fall semester, campus will be closed to mourn the passing of the nation’s 41st president, George Herbert Walker Bush.
A&M-San Antonio’s closure comes as Gov. Greg Abbott and A&M System Chancellor John Sharp authorize Wednesday, Dec. 5 as a day of mourning for state agencies and universities. Chancellor Sharp’s office did not immediately respond to request for comment.
President Bush died Friday, Nov. 30 at age 94. His wife, Barbara Bush died earlier this year. President Bush is remembered as a lifelong public servant. After a ceremony at Washington National Cathedral on Dec. 5, he will be interred at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas.
The campus closure was announced by University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson by email to all faculty, staff and students on Tuesday.
“In honor of the late President George H.W. Bush, I have approved closing the University on Wednesday, December 5, 2018,” she wrote.
Students were informed the University Library will remain open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Academic Building computer labs and the cafeteria will remain open. Non-university events being held on campus will occur as planned.
In her statement, President Teniente-Matson wrote, “On this official day of mourning, please join the entire A&M System in honoring the life and achievements of President Bush.”
Matson also stated benefits-eligible employees will qualify for Leave of Absence Pay according to university procedure.
Texas A&M University-College Station will be closed Thursday, according to an announcement on Texas A&M Today, the system’s digital information portal. A&M-College Station will remain open on Wednesday. Click here for a full schedule of the A&M System Closure.