The college scheduled an early reading day for Monday, Feb. 20 to give students an opportunity to catch up on homework, reading, and writing.
Provost David Whalen said the decision was a collaborative effort. Dean of Natural Sciences Chris Van Orman said it was the result of concerns from administration and faculty.
“I understand the purpose behind it,” Van Orman said. “The dean of women talked about the stress of students and the need for a break for them. I agree with this. I also know that it causes other faculty problems. I am sympathetic to them.”
There will be no science labs or lectures that day. Van Orman said that he does not intend to reschedule class, but instead will allow students to have the day off. The break is much more disruptive for the music department.
The reading day falls on a Monday, meaning that orchestra, big band, and private lessons will all be cancelled.
“Seventy students will miss orchestra, 25 will miss big band. And I haven’t even stopped to see how many lessons we have to reschedule,” said James Holleman, associate professor of music.
Elaine Clines, a violin player in the orchestra, said she was concerned about missing a practice.
“Although I am appreciative of the reading day, it will make preparation for our orchestra concert more difficult,” she said. The reading day especially causes rehearsal problems for big band, as they have a festival in Albion, Mich., the following week. Their practice will be rescheduled later that week, Holleman said.
Compounding the problem of rescheduling is the number of adjunct professors that come to teach private lessons. Many drive from Ann Arbor, Ohio, and Canada to meet with their students.
“It is disruptive,” Holleman said. “We can deal with it. We can miss a day or reschedule. But this causes a second disruption because our students are extremely busy with other activities.”
Whalen, however, encouraged not only students, but faculty to make good use of the reading day to catch up.
“Some students will not take the time to catch up on academics. The purpose of the reading day is reading, writing, and studying. It is not a day dedicated to the tanning salon,” Whalen said.
Regardless, many students approve of the arrangement. Junior Andrew Weaver, who has a heavy course load this semester, said he intends to take the day off and sleep.
Sophomore Gretchen Sandberg plans to take advantage of the day for its intended purpose, with a little bit of relaxation mixed in.
“Most likely I’ll be studying organic chemistry and I’ll probably watch TV, sleep in, and practice my violin,” she said.
