Spring break used to be seen as a time to relax and plan a vacation, to go somewhere new or to enjoy a place you love far away from college. Now, spring break has another meaning as a COVID-19 spreader, and some of the local colleges didn’t do so well in trying to cope with that. Colleges all over the world struggled with the decision to keep spring break the way it was, cancel it or move it. Spring break is when many students travel, and this year the travel aspect is what poses the risk of spreading a virus upon returning to campus.
Our own University of Idaho sent out a survey to students asking whether they preferred to keep the break, move it or cancel it. The ultimate decision for us was to keep it the same, with added COVID-19 testing upon the students’ return, but not all universities in the area made that decision.
Other universities around the Pacific Northwest have decided to make changes to spring break, either moving it to a later date or canceling it altogether.
As UI’s neighboring institution, Washington State University moved their start date for the spring 2021 semester to Jan. 19, one week later than it was originally scheduled, according to
WSU Insider. Rather than having a full week of break, they saved three days to not have class on Feb. 25, March 17 and April 13.
Lewis Clark State College and Idaho State University pushed their break back to late April, right before dead week. ISU’s schedule clarifies it is “subject to change,” and their reasoning behind moving it was to “eliminate the influx of students coming back to campus after spring break” according to an article from The Bengal.
Boise State University has decided to keep its break in April, but classes will be remote after it ends, according to its academic calendar. While these decisions were made with the best interest of safety in mind, breaks in between semesters are much needed. Though they are seen as the COVID-19 spreader, students need time to recuperate from classes, work and deadlines.
Canceling break and deciding to reserve days without in-class discussion does not have the same advantages as a full break, particularly when that full break is in the middle of the semester. Students are more likely to rest and stay away from coursework when they have a full week, rather than three days of no classes. As students, these reserved days sound more appetizing as a day to catch up on work rather than a day to relax like spring break is intended to be.
Moving break to a later date, close to the end of the semester, in theory, would limit the spread of the virus upon students’ return. BSU’s decision to go completely remote for the second half of spring semester limits contact on campus and spread throughout the university.
UI made its decision in the best interest of students to keep break the same. Sending out a survey for students to complete gives them an outlet to share their opinions on how to utilize days off from class and gives the administration a better idea of what the students wanted.
During a Faculty Senate meeting on Oct. 6, Torrey Lawrence, vice provost for faculty announced survey results showed “42% of students, faculty and staff preferred a delayed spring break with remote learning, 40% preferred no change to spring break 17% preferred no spring break and 1% had no preference,” according to past Argonaut reporting.
Over 7,000 responses were recorded and “many responses stated not having spring break would negatively affect mental health and a deferred break would disturb graduation.” In the survey, “11% of students had no preference 45% preferred no change” and “18% of staff and 28% of faculty preferred no change.”
A full break gives students time to relax and enjoy break to its fullest potential. Continuing to test for COVID-19 and wearing masks in in-person discussion keeps people responsible and safe.
As students, we appreciate the safety precautions the university and Moscow are mandating because we know it will keep our community strong together.
Though vaccines are being distributed as we speak and the end is within sight, we must be responsible and keep acting seriously toward COVID-19, as we are still in the midst of a pandemic.
We got our full spring break and it was very much needed. UI made a logical decision that factored in the safety and personal needs of their students based on the answers they were given in the poll. Students at other universities weren’t so lucky.
Stay safe and travel responsibly, Vandals!
To view our past reporting on this issue visit here.
Candi Sulima
Love, is letting your loved one’s snoring become your love song.