Fall break and spring break are traditional components of the academic calendar at many schools, including The Citadel. The timing of these needed breaks from the stress of academic life at The Citadel could be and should be improved, however. We highly recommend that a fall break in mid-October and a spring break in mid-March be instituted, i.e., schedule these breaks much closer to the midpoint of the term, as do many colleges and universities (see attached schedule.) The goal of this proposed change in timing is to enhance the academic performance of the students.

The college calendar already recognizes the need for a few days of respite each semester by scheduling breaks which coincide with the traditional holidays of Thanksgiving and Easter. A lengthy break at the end of November comes so late in the fall term that its effect on academic performance is negligible at best; furthermore, falling so close to the onset of final exams, the effect is sometimes pernicious. Since the date of Easter varies, the timing of the spring break changes from year to year, and the benefits of the break from an academic perspective also vary correspondingly. The later that Easter falls and that spring break is scheduled, the less benefit from the standpoint of academics.

RECOMMENDED TIMING FOR FALL AND SPRING BREAKS
Our proposal is that a fall break be scheduled in conjunction with Parents Day. Specifically, no classes would be scheduled the Friday, Monday, and Tuesday of that weekend. Cadets would have military but not academic responsibilities on Friday and Saturday, and general leave for cadets would begin after the Saturday football game and last until Tuesday evening. We also recommend that the scheduled time for parents to consult with faculty be that Friday, say from 9 until 2, and that no other conflicting events be scheduled for parents during the times for faculty consultation.

Our suggested timing for spring break is in mid-March, say the second week, which would leave a full week of classes prior to Corps Day. Scheduling a full week for spring break has been the tradition at The Citadel, and we recommend that this be continued.

DISCUSSION
The proposal for a fall break in October would use three days from the academic calendar but affects only two days on which lab sciences are scheduled. We suggest modifying the Thanksgiving break so that it commences at the end of classes on the Tuesday of that week. If the proposed fall break takes three days from the five currently allotted for the Thanksgiving break and two days of classes are held Thanksgiving week, that leaves only one day, the Friday prior to Parents Day, that may need to be made up. Unfortunately, because seniors are still feeling the effects of Ring Night and fourth class cadets are restless with anticipation over the coming weekend, most will readily acknowledge that that Friday is already a lost cause so far as classes go. It would be more realistic to acknowledge that this class day is already not very useful from an academic standpoint and cancel classes entirely. If the sentiment is that this day should be restored to the schedule, this could be done at the beginning or end of the semester.

Since it would not be very likely that the proposed timing for spring break coincide with Easter, we recommend that students still be allowed one class day plus the weekend for that holiday while still allotting a full week for the mid-March break. This class day could be made up at the beginning or end of the term.

The proposed timing of fall in conjunction with Parents Day should tend to enhance the academic components of that event while providing ample time for others. Consultation with faculty on Friday would ease the current overly hectic situation in which the parents are rushed from place to place on Saturday to talk with professors, tour the barracks, see the Summerall Guards drill, watch the review, and go to the football game. Furthermore, the proposed timing of the fall break minimizes the problems presented by some potential obstacles. Since it is not likely that all undergraduates would leave campus for the break, having to close the barracks would not be necessary. Consequently, administrative hassles, such as for turning in weapons, would be avoided. Since numerous families, especially those of freshmen, would be coming to campus for Parents Day, they might choose to extend their visit in the Charleston area during the fall break rather than have the cadet make the trip home. If there is sufficient concern about increased likelihood of freshman attrition because of the break, however, the leave policy could be varied for freshmen only.