To returning students and staff, the holiday break may seem longer than usual.

But what looks like a late start is actually right on schedule, said Registrar Karen Hutslar.

“It really isn’t a late start; we always begin the Monday after the university reopens,” she said. “Last year it reopened on Jan. 2, so we started on Jan. 7. This year, however, it reopens on Jan. 5, so we start that following Monday, which is Jan. 12. We also have to allow time before classes start for registration and for offices to do things before the start of term.”

Director of Media Relations Steve Smith said the starting date does not affect the amount of classes in the semester.

“The academic calendar is set in the contract between the Faculty Association and the university before each year,” Smith said.

Despite the agreements made, some staff and students would like to see changes to the schedule in the future.

English language and literature assistant professor Elizabeth Berriman has been working for Central Michigan University for about 18 years as a professor and in administration.

Berriman said the structure of the breaks should change.

“I think that there should be a break in the fall, even if it was just a week off, instead of a long winter break,” she said. “As it is, the students begin to drag and the Christmas break is long enough as it is.”

Killian Weston, an East Lansing sophomore, agreed.

“I’d much rather have a break in the fall semester like a lot of other colleges do because it seems like everyone is burned out by the time Christmas comes,” she said.

Others prefer the longer holiday break because it allows more time with family and provides extra time for resting between semesters.

Mount Pleasant senior Molly Brehm enjoys the current practice.

“I like the amount of time that we are given for Christmas break. I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t,” she said.

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