Spring Break
Univ considers creating additional vacation day
by Rebecca Klein
Features editor
News | 11/18/08
Posted online at 3:06 AM EST on 11/18/08
Herzfeld explained why the other options would be more difficult to implement.
Starting the semester a day earlier means that the University would have to either shorten orientation or postpone it, Herzfeld explained. "We've reviewed [shortening orientation] with the people who organize it, and we can't see any good way to shorten it," she said, "[Starting the semester a day early] means you push back move-in, which means you push back dorm prep, which means you push back the summer schools, and that gets to be complicated," she added.
In addition, Herzfeld also felt that the idea of changing the final exam schedule so that it starts later is not viable because it would delay winter vacation, especially during years all the Jewish holidays fall on weekdays. Herzfeld explained that this did not seem like a good option as it cuts too close to travel time for the holidays.
"Folks at the University sometime ago realized that some years they could [give us the day off] but [they] wanted it to be the same from year to year. That's not obvious as to why that should be, but that's something we have to get to colleagues about," Herzfeld said.
Prof. Sabine von Mering (GRALL), also a member of the task force committee, said that the day before Thanksgiving is essentially a "lost day" for faculty that do hold classes because most of the class is not in attendance.
"Those of us who are holding classes cannot really proceed with our material because if half the class is not there then we have to repeat it again the following week when everybody's back," von Mering said.
Von Mering said it's important that students have the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off because, "[on that day] the majority of classes are cancelled, so students are getting a mixed message."
Starting the semester a day earlier means that the University would have to either shorten orientation or postpone it, Herzfeld explained. "We've reviewed [shortening orientation] with the people who organize it, and we can't see any good way to shorten it," she said, "[Starting the semester a day early] means you push back move-in, which means you push back dorm prep, which means you push back the summer schools, and that gets to be complicated," she added.
In addition, Herzfeld also felt that the idea of changing the final exam schedule so that it starts later is not viable because it would delay winter vacation, especially during years all the Jewish holidays fall on weekdays. Herzfeld explained that this did not seem like a good option as it cuts too close to travel time for the holidays.
"Folks at the University sometime ago realized that some years they could [give us the day off] but [they] wanted it to be the same from year to year. That's not obvious as to why that should be, but that's something we have to get to colleagues about," Herzfeld said.
Prof. Sabine von Mering (GRALL), also a member of the task force committee, said that the day before Thanksgiving is essentially a "lost day" for faculty that do hold classes because most of the class is not in attendance.
"Those of us who are holding classes cannot really proceed with our material because if half the class is not there then we have to repeat it again the following week when everybody's back," von Mering said.
Von Mering said it's important that students have the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off because, "[on that day] the majority of classes are cancelled, so students are getting a mixed message."
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