ESU to remove Good Friday student holiday

Special to The Capital-Journal

EMPORIA -- Good Friday no longer will be observed as a student holiday at Emporia State University beginning in 2002, according to legislation passed by the ESU faculty senate during the past week.

The good news for students, however, is a fall break will be considered by the faculty senate and ESU administration. ESU is the only Kansas Board of Regents university that observes Good Friday. With the change, ESU will have 152 instructional days during the academic year, with 75 in the fall semester and 77 in the spring semester. The Kansas Board of Regents requires 150 instructional days per academic year. The faculty senate killed legislation that would provide students the Friday off during the ninth week of the fall and spring semesters starting in the 2001-2002 academic year. The senate rejected the proposal so it could consider a proposal made by the Associated Student Government to have a fall break. ASG recommended a break for the Monday and Tuesday of the ninth week in the fall semester. "I have heard concerns that one week of spring break plus an additional day off after spring break is not the most efficient way to distribute breaks," said John Schwenn, vice president of academic affairs. "Some students would rather have the break during the fall." According to Judith Calhoun, faculty senate president, senators "were reluctant to support the student recommendation (at the Tuesday meeting) because they had not discussed it with their constituents." This month President Kay Schallenkamp will make recommendations regarding academic scheduling to the Regents. She said she hasn't formed an opinion of when new breaks, if any, should be scheduled. "I don't think we should rush into a decision," Schwenn said. "We have to consider the ramifications of a fall break, as well as any break. Many days could create problems for faculty and students."

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