Thanksgiving weekend officially made longer, but push for fall reading week survives
As students return from winter reading week with fresh minds and a regenerated sense of motivation, now is perhaps the best time to consider the pros and cons of having a reading week during the fall semester.
The Central Student Association (CSA) and the university administration have been doing just that, and Julia Forster, the Academic and University Affairs Commissioner for the CSA, is serving as the motivating force behind the campaign. But as Forster explained, there are many scheduling factors that need to be considered before any action takes place.
Guelph operates on a 12-week schedule that allows the university to release grades before the conclusion of the winter break. If the U of G were to implement a fall reading week, the scheduling of dates would need to shift accordingly, shortening the 3-week long winter break to make room for the additional week off. Alternatively, rescheduling the U of G’s Orientation Week to hold classes earlier has also been discussed.
These modifications would be extended to the U of G’s regional campuses and Guelph-Humber, compelling them to adapt to a 13-week schedule as well.
As Forster explained, such major changes in scheduling would require complex negotiations between the administration, the CSA, and the general student body. But if there is great enough demand, the administration will be as receptive as possible. It is of the utmost importance, Forster added, that conversation be generated among the student body – they must know what options are available and what repercussions would follow.
While talk of a fall reading week continues, on Monday Feb. 10 the U of G senate approved a motion to extend Thanksgiving break to give students an additional day off. Forster and the Graduate Student Association successfully lobbied to extend the Thanksgiving weekend into the following Tuesday. Forster explained that this works better than giving students the Friday before Thanksgiving off because, in that case, faculty would be forced to teach back-to-back classes. Transportation was also considered, as Tuesdays are typically less busy than Fridays for travelling.
The extended Thanksgiving holiday will be implemented starting next fall, and an additional teaching day will be added at the end of the semester to compensate.
Forster suggests that a fall reading week would provide more than a much needed breather during the hectic fall semester, it would also benefit the mental health of students, especially for those who only see their families twice a semester.
“I was trying to think of what I could do to help students in my position, and around the time of the 1 in 5 Campaign something that came to me – as a prominent issue – was stress and mental illness,” said Forster.
“There is definitely a growing awareness and increase of empathy for the mental health and stress levels of students throughout all levels of the university,” Forster added. “Our point within this campaign is to generate as much conversation and awareness about what options and services are open to students, and then simply to try our hardest to cater to these needs.”
The U of G recently formed a Mental Health Committee to observe how students react and cope with stress. In an effort to lower the overall rate of depression, anxiety and stress among students, the group will explore scheduling and curriculum strategies employed by other universities in attempt to find the best possible approaches. McMaster University, for example, currently practices a ‘midterm ban’ policy where, to reflect rising stress levels among the student body, a midterm recess is implemented, and during that time faculty cannot administer exams.
“One of our main goals is to reduce the stigma of mental health through effective education and awareness,” said Forester, “while reassuring those students who do suffer from temporary or serious mental illnesses that they are not alone.”
Recent surveys emailed through the Office of Student Affair’s listserv provided the CSA and university administration with a good indication of which student groups are most in favour of an extended fall break. Among the 5,000 respondents, first year students were found to be the most receptive to a longer break. The College of Biological Sciences was least in favour and the College of Arts was most in favour.