The unofficial end of the summer usually means a three-day weekend as most of us observe Labor Day on the first Monday of September. But for Colorado Mesa University students, it is - and has been - a different story.

CMU is one of a select few schools across the country holding classes on Monday. Students are being forced to cut getaway trips short in time to return to the classroom where tests and assignments were scheduled.

But some are finding it hard to get to class let alone participate in the lesson plan.

"Since I live at home in Fruita, there was no buses running today," Freshman Kymberlie Robinson said. "So it was quite hard getting to school today."

Grand Valley Transit was shut down on Labor Day. But Robinson says she was still expected to show up to class.

"I had two quizzes and would have failed them if I didn't find a last minute ride."

CMU staff understands the concerns but says the Labor Day schedule has been out for months.

"There are certain realities that we have got to plan out and that's a solution that we've come to with students, staff and faculty input," John Marshall, Vice President of Student Services, said. "We took that input and created this calendar. It's all about give and take."

Marshall says Labor Day classes are necessary to meet the overall credit hours that students are paying for. He says the faculty is there to help and if any students had trouble getting to class on Monday, they should speak directly with their teachers.