Why does school start in August?

Although I am very happy to be back at Cortland it upsets me a little bit that we have to start class so early. I have friends from other schools that are not starting for another week to week and a half and even other who are from SUNY schools who did not start until late this week. As far as I am concerned August is still the summer and we should not have to be in class until at least the day after Labor Day. Cortland should give us this week to relax and get ready for the upcoming semester instead of throwing us straight into class. The week of relaxtion would not only give us time get back to the swing of things but would also give new students a chance to get to no the campus a little bit and get used to college life.