Comments on: Students question necessity of classes before Thanksgiving

By: Thite D. Starr

Thite D. Starr — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:02:01 +0000

Maybe we should not have classes a week before Thanksgiving? My family lives overseas and it takes me nearly 48 hours to get home not including the donkey ride to the cabin. I need time to pack and decompress before I leave for home. Maybe I need two weeks. Hey “a Mom”, do you date younger guys? Sounds like you could really cook something up….

By: USC Alum

USC Alum — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:08:13 +0000

Hi somewhat disagree with you guys,

I was a graduate student last spring and in grad school some of the classes are weekly ( 3hrs) and they have an extensive course material which is very difficult to cover in an entire semester. In that situation if the class falls on the day before thanksgiving, we cannot afford to miss it.

By: Frusterated Student

Frusterated Student — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:43:24 +0000

The Cal State system- even before all the budget cuts and furlow days- has had a tradition of the entire week off of school for thanksgiving. AND MANY OF THOSE SCHOOL ARE COMMUTER SCHOOLS. It’s not fair to students who have 50% of their professors cancel class in the morning, but are forced to attend a 4-6 night class on Wednesday night. there needs to be consistency.

By: Kokuanani

Kokuanani — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:15:57 +0000

I agree with what "a Mom" said.

The "tradition" of holding classes the Wednesday before Thanksgiving probably posed no hardship in the days when almost all of USC's students were from California, with a few from other western states. Now, however, as USC touts its geographic diversity, it doesn't make sense to strand those from more than a couple of hundred miles away and deny them a chance to be with their families.

This is a "tradition" that should be sacked.

By: a Mom

a Mom — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:49:24 +0000

USC is a national university with students from across the United States. The current academic calendar does not allow all students to be home for the Thanksgiving holiday. Holding classes on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving creates a hardship for some families. It is quite difficult (and at times, impossible) to make affordable travel plans with the current USC calendar. I believe that USC should adjust the academic calendar to provide a longer Thanksgiving break for their students. Many universities leave this week free for travel and celebration. It’s time to rethink the calendar!