2008 Woodie Awards
One less reading day saves students' travel plans
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Editorial/Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
10/26/07 - The University of Rhode Island Faculty Senate made the decision to leave students with one less reading day yesterday after deliberating the consequences of an unexpected calendar blooper. Because of this, the Faculty Senate had to push back the first day of school to a Wednesday, and decided that the best course of action would be to take away a reading day to make up for the loss.
Given the alternatives, the senate's decision makes a lot of sense. One of those alternatives involved students having to go to class on Election Day or Veterans Day - two state holidays which give students a much-needed breather from hectic schedules so late in the semester.
Pushing back the last day of final exams was the other alternative, which would have been another mistake on the senate's part, as it would also cause a serious issue for out-of-state students who trusted that the URI calendar was accurate and made travel plans on certain dates.
It's true that students need time to study and comprehend new material before final exams. But students don't usually have exams five days in a row - most students have an exam schedule that leaves ample time to study in between certain exam dates. This is why the university handbook states that only one reading day is required, though two reading days were originally scheduled for the fall semester.
Student Senate argued that the loss of one reading day could have a huge impact on students, especially those that work part time. A Faculty Senate member also made the argument that the weekend doesn't take the place of reading days and is "not an acceptable alternative" for students.
Saturday and Sunday are days when students do not have class. This, in addition to one reading day, is plenty of time to review material. Sure, students would rather spend their last weekend before finals living it up and making memories that will last a lifetime - or until the next morning at least - but when it comes down to it, exams are a one-shot deal.
It's really all a matter of time management. College students are constantly performing "the great juggling act," and exams are a large part of that aspect of college life. It isn't impossible to set aside "breathing time" on Friday and hit the books on Saturday and Sunday. Students should rest easy. One less reading day will not turn your Organic Chemistry grade from an A to a D if you get a jumpstart on your studying and plan accordingly.
Given the alternatives, the senate's decision makes a lot of sense. One of those alternatives involved students having to go to class on Election Day or Veterans Day - two state holidays which give students a much-needed breather from hectic schedules so late in the semester.
Pushing back the last day of final exams was the other alternative, which would have been another mistake on the senate's part, as it would also cause a serious issue for out-of-state students who trusted that the URI calendar was accurate and made travel plans on certain dates.
It's true that students need time to study and comprehend new material before final exams. But students don't usually have exams five days in a row - most students have an exam schedule that leaves ample time to study in between certain exam dates. This is why the university handbook states that only one reading day is required, though two reading days were originally scheduled for the fall semester.
Student Senate argued that the loss of one reading day could have a huge impact on students, especially those that work part time. A Faculty Senate member also made the argument that the weekend doesn't take the place of reading days and is "not an acceptable alternative" for students.
Saturday and Sunday are days when students do not have class. This, in addition to one reading day, is plenty of time to review material. Sure, students would rather spend their last weekend before finals living it up and making memories that will last a lifetime - or until the next morning at least - but when it comes down to it, exams are a one-shot deal.
It's really all a matter of time management. College students are constantly performing "the great juggling act," and exams are a large part of that aspect of college life. It isn't impossible to set aside "breathing time" on Friday and hit the books on Saturday and Sunday. Students should rest easy. One less reading day will not turn your Organic Chemistry grade from an A to a D if you get a jumpstart on your studying and plan accordingly.