UPEI recently approved a fall-break, what about Holland College?

Holland College students gathered outside the Prince of Wales Campus.

Yakosu Umana photo

By Yakosu Umana

Oct. 10, 2019

A fall break would be valuable, but it would take a large piece of time on scheduling, says Connor Moerike, Holland College’s student union president.

UPEI recently announced students will have a reading week during the Thanksgiving period, beginning in 2020.

All major universities across Atlantic Canada, except UPEI, have a reading week in the fall.

A fall break would be great for students academically, although it would be difficult to fit one in a college, Moerike said.

“It’s definitely something I think should be considered to help students review the knowledge and skills they learn, but it would be an undertaking that would be a lot more difficult to do here than at the university.” 

Nevertheless, it would be great for the mental health of students, he said.

“It can alleviate stress and help in soothing any mental health issues.”

Still, a break it could also be risky, Moerike said.

“It could also magnify them [mental health issues] if it’s not spent properly.”

Each program has specific scheduling and they would have to make up for lost time, he said.

“I think that is definitely a large barrier to implementing such a thing here.”

Lornie Hughes is the director of student services at the college. He agrees.

“A certain amount of teaching days would need to be regained. Those days would need to be added to front or back of scheduling.”

But a fall break wouldn’t have any negatives for students, Hughes said.

“I don’t think there’s anything negative from a student perspective. Instructors would have to work with students to where the scheduling would go.”

A fall break would be a good pause for first-year students mentally and academically, he said.

“It provides them a buffer to help them catch up with work, or go home.”

Hughes is optimistic a fall break may take effect if the students pushed for it.

“If the student’s voice is strong, I’m optimistic the college would look at that.”

In a recent poll of 20 votes, 55 per cent of the voters voted for a fall break at Holland college. 

Moerike said no student has reached him about having a fall break at the college so far.