GUEST COLUMN: People missed point of reading days
First, I would like to thank all of those who are actually reading this. Apparently something caught enough of your attention to delve deeper than the bold title; and for that I can be grateful. Perhaps I can resolve some confusion about reading days.
Second, I would like to thank everyone who has voiced his or her approval or concerns regarding reading days. Some have taken extreme measures and have written personal attacks over e-mail. To them I would say their point was made quite clearly.
Third, I would like to define my position as academic vice president. I am elected by the student body to represent the academic life of the student body as a whole. I understand there are students who will not study for finals at all, no matter how much time they are given, and others will perform well despite how little time is allotted.
Reading days are not geared toward these groups, but are tailored for the many students found in between the two extremes. The extra time reading days will provide to these students could mean the difference between mediocrity and excellence.
Fourth, I would like to mention that reading days are not some radical idea that Ericka Ensign thought up all by herself. Some of our peer institutions have them, most Ivy League schools have them, and a majority of the other colleges and universities in the state of Utah have them.
Fifth, I would like to address some of the concerns that have been expressed about reading days. The biggest concern is they will lengthen the year and cut into holiday breaks. My response to that is, maybe they will lengthen future academic years, and maybe they won’t.
Let me explain. In any given semester, law dictates that we attend school between 71-73 days. So if we have 71 lecture days and 2 reading days each semester, the year hasn’t been lengthened any, and the number of lecture days are not cut below the norm.
In addition, even if it does extend the year by a few days, we currently have one of the shortest academic calendars of all our peer institutions. Those attending Washington State and New Mexico state had an additional week of school last semester.
Another issue to keep in mind is that there has already been discussion about starting school earlier in the year as a means of implementing graduation changes or improving retention of underclassmen by not having the first weekend in the school year fall on a holiday weekend.
Another popular concern with reading days is that they promote procrastination. Some have even gone so far as to say that they will promote “inefficiency and laziness.” I think this misrepresents the type of students who attend Utah State. Let’s be honest, those who are prone to procrastinate will do so regardless of any change made to the academic calendar.
I understand that some of those reading this don’t feel they need extra time. Not every student is that fortunate. I have had many students express to me how much they could use additional study time. I believe USU has an overall higher caliber of students than for two additional study days to result in a downward spiral toward laziness and inefficiency — we are better than that.
That brings me to the concern that if we have reading days students won’t take advantage of them. Well, that is their prerogative. If I had a dollar for every time students didn’t take advantage of what has been offered to them at USU, I would be set for life. I do believe, however, that there are students who will use the time to master their course material, and it will be reflected in their grades.
And last, I would like to back up my efforts in striving to impose reading days by saying I have done everything I can to represent the students fairly. I can safely say the only reason that I am in office right now is because reading days were part of my campaign platform. The bottom line is, I keep my promises.
I recognize that ideas may seem good at first and then end up having too high a price. I don’t feel that this is the case with reading days, but a random survey is being done to ascertain the opinion of the students. If students don’t support them, then I will turn my full attention to making dead week an actual policy. I plan to sprint to the finish line and then not look back with any regrets, knowing that I did what was in the best interest of the students.
Ericka Ensign is the ASUSU academic vice president. Comments can be sent to her at ensign@cc.usu.edu.