As of the 2004-2005 school year, students will enjoy the relief of an additional reading day in both their fall and spring exam schedules.
Student Council President Daisy Lundy presented an amended University calendar last night at the Council meeting, complete with the addition of the long sought-after reading days.
The new exam schedule guarantees there never will be more than three consecutive exam days in a row and marks the culmination of a year-long effort by Council.
Lundy worked closely with the administration over the summer in order to ensure the execution of the reading days proposal last year's Council President Micah Schwartz initially proposed last fall.
The University published the 2004-2005 calendar July 30 with President John T. Casteen, III's signature of approval, making the exam schedule change official.
Schwartz said he thought this piece of legislation was a positive way for Council to start the year, effectively bridging the gap between the two student administrations. Lundy echoed Schwartz's enthusiasm.
"The extra reading day provides students with a healthy mental break that all students will benefit from without having to sacrifice part of their vacation," Lundy said.
Council solicited the student body's opinion regarding reading days in a referendum on the election ballot last spring. A total of 67 percent of students who voted said they would like to see the addition of reading days into the exam schedule.
The second question on the referendum, however, was not as well received. It asked students if they would be willing to remain at the University until Dec. 22 in certain years in order to obtain the additional reading days. Almost 78 percent of the students rejected this proposal.
Asst. Provost Wynne Stuart said the reading day may shorten winter break depending on how the dates and days of the week fall each year, but not by a significant amount.
Third-year College student Hillary Rouse is looking forward to the new break.
"I think it will help students be productive because the reading holiday is often used to take a break from class work," she said.
Lundy assured Council members that the new calendar does not affect other holidays, the number of class meetings each semester or the graduation dates.
Stuart praised Council for their efforts.
"I congratulate Student Council for trying to effect change that can benefit the students," Stuart said.
She did, however, worry that students wouldn't find the reading days as beneficial as they thought.
"One thing I would like the students to think about -- [are the reading days] really a benefit?" Stuart said. "Only the students will be able to tell us."
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