Break closures excessive

By Staff Editorial     1/13/11 6:00pm

Housing and Dining continued its baffling tradition this past winter break of further limiting access to students' residences. While some sort of campus closure over break is necessary for security and resource conservation, the remarkably tight window left for students' arrivals back on campus is unacceptable. Students were told to not arrive on campus until 2 p.m. on Jan. 8, the Saturday before classes started.The establishment of this ultimatum gives students fewer than 48 hours to arrive on campus, get settled, prepare for the semester and begin classes. This short time period leaves students scrambling to finalize preparations on the eve of the semester. The crunch is even worse for international students, who are reeling from journeys that eclipse 24 hours and from the jetlag that inevitably ensues. The 48-hour time period for international students is remarkably brief.

H&D saved approximately $40,000 by closing down over winter break; only a minimal amount of the savings would be sacrificed by opening three to five days before the beginning of classes. Furthermore, by moving up the move-in date, students would have the luxury of purchasing cheaper weekday airfare.

There is simply no reason to not afford students the opportunity to move in a bit sooner that H&D has allowed in the past. The Thresher hopes that, at the end of next winter break, students will be met with more southern hospitality.

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