Although students usually have a reading day early in the spring semester to catch up on work or sleep, this short break is absent from the schedule this year.
The administration has decided against having a reading day because spring break has been pushed to an earlier date and because Easter break is longer than usual.
“Several years ago, a reading day was suggested to give the students a short break (similar to fall break) during second semester,” Diane Philipp, vice president of student affairs and dean of women, said in an email.
Usually, the time between the start of school to spring break was much longer than the time after spring break until the end of the semester.
This year, however, spring break is two weeks earlier to divide the time better between the start of the semester and finals.
Previously, finals week started four and a half weeks after spring break. Because of the change this year, students now have six and a half weeks after they return before the start of finals. Easter break is in that time period, including a half day Good Friday, and a travel day Easter Monday.
The school’s accreditation is also a factor.
“The loss of just one day can pose a problem,” Philipp said.
According to Philipp, the administration is required to fulfill a certain number of academic days. If students are given a reading day earlier, they’d have to make it up later in the semester, or the school could be penalized.
