Slate recently asked why college students get such extended winter vacations. Answer: Academic calendars were first synced with agricultural cycles. But in the Carter era, administrators tweaked the calendar to save on heating costs during the holidays.Is Arne Duncan’s latest public schedule, which follows on the heels of a two-week holiday, an unannounced cost-saving measure? Where’s the outrage?Sunday, Jan. 3: No public events scheduled.Monday, Jan. 4: No public events scheduled.Tuesday, Jan. 5: 9:30-10:30 a.m. The Secretary will participate in an event with Dr. Jill Biden to demonstrate a new and more streamlined Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); Benjamin Banneker Senior High School, 800 Euclid St. N.W., Washington, D.C.Wednesday, Jan. 6: No public events scheduled.Thursday, Jan. 7: 10-10:30 a.m. The Secretary will participate in an H1N1 immunization event with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin; Carlin Springs Elementary School, 5995 South 5th Rd., Arlington, Va.Friday, Jan. 8: No public events scheduled.Saturday, Jan. 9: No public events scheduled.Photo via
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