For the first time on the campus of the University of Colorado at Â鶹¹ÙÍø, a fall break is being instituted this year on Oct. 5-6, providing a two-day break during which classes will not be held.
"The break is designed to give students a short breather during what would otherwise be 12 weeks of continuous classes between Labor Day and Thanksgiving," said William Kaempfer, associate vice chancellor of academic affairs.
Students will have the opportunity to get some rest and relaxation before they begin to prepare for midterms and finals. The break also will allow students to evaluate where they are in the semester and to plan for the remainder.
Students and faculty alike will benefit from the break. "Faculty will find fall break a welcome opportunity to devote additional attention to their research and service obligations," Kaempfer said.
Although faculty and students are given a reprieve, the university staff is expected to report to work as usual. There will be no campus closures and all campus buildings will remain open during the break.
Classes are expected to be in session Monday to Wednesday, Oct. 2nd through Oct. 4th, and the university faculty is required to meet their classes next week as they do at any other time, unless other arrangements have been made, Kaempfer said.
It is anticipated that fall break will continue in the future and will be held the first or second Thursday and Friday in October, he said. Measured success for the fall break will be shown through studentsÂ’ increased ability to learn while reducing their stress levels, Kaempfer said.
University of Colorado Student Union (UCSU) leaders originally proposed the fall break in 1998 as a way to split up the long stretch of full class weeks. Students were pleased last year when the proposal was approved.