Guelph-Humber students could have a fall reading week as early as 2018
Last Semester, IGNITE proposed the idea of Guelph-Humber having a fall reading break. In a survey hosted by IGNITE to see how many students would be in favour of such a break, approximately one-third of GH students voted, with 71 per cent in favour. Since then, IGNITE has had to go through a variety of stages of approval. Many students voted for a full break, rather than a two-day break.Recently, IGNITE sent an e-mail survey to all members of the Academic Management & Programs Committee (AMAP) and has received a majority feedback to propose a five day reading break to the Guelph Senate on Nov. 27. This would be the final stage of approval.
According to the vice president of the University of Guelph-Humber at IGNITE, John Kokkoros, the school’s fall semester would begin one day earlier, and the break would take place following Thanksgiving Monday. From there, the semester would end on Dec. 16 rather than Dec. 12. “I think it’s good because in the survey a majority of people asked for a five-day break but most of the people didn’t want their Christmas break to be affected. Its kind of like best of both worlds, which is better, in my opinion,” said Kokkorros.
Vice-provost and chief academic officer for Guelph-Humber, John Walsh, believes that this would give students a good mental health break. “If it’s good for the winter semester, why isn’t it good for the fall semester? When [Guelph] senate wants to be flexible, it will be their discretion for when this occurs, which could be as soon as 2018-2019,” said Walsh.
“I truly think this would be so beneficial not only to myself, but so many other students in the Guelph-Humber. University isn’t easy, and it’s important that we take care of our mental health in the process. With this reading week, we would be able to do that a bit better,” said Sarah Effer, a third year student in the Family and Community Social Services program.
Stay tuned to the IGNITE Facebook page for updates.
