By: Niamh Gray

On Nov. 13, 2023, University President Darryll Pines and Senior Vice President Jennifer King Rice, sent out an email to University of Maryland students regarding changes to the Thanksgiving schedule.

What initially was supposed to be a five-day break from Wednesday to Sunday was extended. Classes were moved online on Monday, and were canceled Tuesday. The university remained open on both days. Wednesday was an administrative leave day for all faculty and staff.

The email sparked a sense of urgency throughout campus, as many scrambled to change their travel plans and get in touch with family and friends.

The extension resulted from the university’s willingness to express their gratitude for the student advocates and leaders, as well as faculty and staff that have worked to uplift and support our campus community, acknowledging some of the troubling events that have greatly impacted our institution this semester. 

The extended break resulted in various responses from students.

Many were relieved that they were able to receive an extended break, as it would give students time to decompress and prioritize their mental health. 

“I felt very happy because the burnout has been real,” said in-state sophomore Amanda Traube. 

Traube reflected on how she had been struggling mentally, and the extended break would now give her time to rejuvenate.

“It’s wonderful to be able to get a full week. I feel like we should have had that from the start,” Traube said. 

Traube is not the only one that feels the extended break should have been established much earlier. Daniel O’Neill, an out-of-state architect major, was unable to change his flight and extend his trip back home due to how late the extended notice was sent out. 

“Obviously I am disappointed that I cannot be with my family during the whole duration of break. It is still kind of nice to have those extra days off, although if it happened earlier, it would have been more convenient,” O’Neill said. 

Some students expressed their frustration of how administration used the extension to address the current issues circling around campus, and the impact those factors are having on students. 

Late last month, our campus community mourned the tragic death of a student. Conflict between Israel and Palestine has also added pain and stress to many UMD students. 

The email addresses these events, stating, “…we have experienced a challenging fall, punctuated by loss around the world and in our own community.”

Rei Bulut, a senior and an in-state criminal justice major, recently expressed her frustration towards the administration. 

“Everyone has been overwhelmed by campus stuff, world stuff, personal stuff, and it just feels like sometimes you can’t even catch a break,” Bulut said. 

Bulut felt that although the sentiment was nice, it didn’t provide enough support toward the struggle students are facing right now. The extension was “too little too late.”

Featured Image: A photo of UMD campus. Photo by Niamh Gray.