Many University of Wisconsin-Madison students told the Cardinal they are frustrated about the length of Thanksgiving break, especially those who have to fly home. The timing often results in expensive flights, long travel days or the decision to miss a family holiday rather than attempt the trip.
Katy Morris, a freshman and out-of-state student, said she would much rather have classes start earlier than the time be cut out of break.
“It doesn’t really feel like a break when by the time I get home and settle in, I basically have to start packing again,” she said. “All my friends get a full week off, and I’m sitting here thinking ‘It’s hard to justify going home just to have two full days.’”
Although the government shutdown is over, which created flight disruptions, there are still air traffic controller staffing shortages, leading to flight cancellations and delayed traveling times.
Some students are taking this into account when making their plans. Grace Lytton, a sophomore from New York, said she will have to miss several days of classes because of the length of the break and travel anxiety.
“I’m leaving Friday, Nov. 21 because it was the cheapest ticket and it gave me a cushion in case anything went wrong,” Lytton said. “I’m frustrated about missing classes, but it was really my only option if I wanted to spend more than two days with my family.”
UW-Madison spokesperson Greg Bump said the university’s hands are tied by state law.
Wisconsin statute 36.11(16) says, “no fall semester classes at any institution, except medical school classes, graduate health science classes, and 4th year classes at the school of veterinary medicine, commence until after September 1.”
This legally mandated late start to the semester compresses the academic calendar, leaving little room for an extended fall break.
Now students have to make the tough decision of going home to their families this week — for an abbreviated break with an expensive plane ticket — or waiting until winter break. For those who plan to stay, the university, and the services it provides, will look a little different.
While resident halls will remain open without any additional charges for students staying on campus, there will be reduced hours across dining halls and housing services.
Campus operations will shift notably during the holiday. All campus offices will be closed on Thanksgiving, and University Housing and desk services offices will remain closed through Friday.
Brendon Dybdahl, the Director of Marketing & Communications Division of University Housing, told the Cardinal in an email reduced services are standard over the break.
“This has been our model for November break in University Housing for many years, and we find that it’s a good balance for serving the limited number of students who are here during that time,” Dybdahl said. “For our residents who stay during the break, we want them to have a comfortable environment, and Housing staff is still here for them to reach out to if they need anything.”
For dining halls, Wednesday Nov. 26 will follow regular hours, but all dining halls will be closed from Thursday through Saturday, apart from Rheta’s Market in Chadbourne Hall, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. again starting Friday.
Housing is urging students who plan to stay on campus to plan ahead, advising students to use meal plans to pick up to-go items from Flamingo Run in advance.
