Thanksgiving Break differs between nearby universities

Thanksgiving week sees some of the busiest airports and roads of the year, creating a stressful time for those traveling for the holiday, especially college students.

For Utah State University and surrounding universities, the length of Thanksgiving Break can cause issues for students traveling for the holiday.

Adele Cutler, a professor at USU, taught a half-empty classroom on Tuesday, a day before classes were officially let out. She implored her students to talk to a student body representative to lengthen the Thanksgiving Break. She suggested that the school do away with the “pathetic” one-day Fall Break during mid-October and instead end classes on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

Brigham Young University and Southern Utah University are officially out from Wednesday through Friday as well, leaving students’ travel time restricted to Tuesday night or the day before Thanksgiving.

“I think having classes off at least Tuesday is important,” said Isaac Smith, a student at Brigham Young University.

He said most of his teachers recorded and posted online lectures for their students to watch at some point during the week, giving them more options for travel. 

“With that additional flexibility,” Smith said, “I did feel that my break was long enough and gave me the time I needed to travel and visit my family.” 

Some teachers, however, canceled their Monday and Tuesday classes altogether.

Haley Sanders, another student at BYU, said only a few of her professors held class on Monday, while none did on Tuesday.

“A lot of my friends’ classes were canceled as well,” Sanders said. “But a surprising amount still had class on Tuesday.”

She said she believed the break was long enough, though, and it did not affect her travel plans.

The holiday becomes more difficult for students at the University of Utah and Weber State University, however, with their breaks only officially beginning Thanksgiving Day. 

As far as the University of Utah student Jake Loewenstein heard, no professors canceled classes Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. 

“I find it a little bit annoying, especially for younger college students who still see their family for Thanksgiving,” Loewenstein said. 

He said Wednesday is one of the busiest travel days of the year, and considering how snowy it is in Utah, it can make travel more difficult. 

Utah Valley University is alone among the major universities in Utah, offering the entire week of Thanksgiving off to students.

—william.bultez@aggiemail.usu.edu

 @willistheginger