The University of Arizona has canceled spring break next semester, replacing it with five "reading days" spread throughout the semester instead.
The faculty senate last week approved the decision citing concerns of coronavirus spread during traveling, an letter emailed Wednesday morning to students, faculty and staff said.
"This adjustment to the Academic Calendar is a necessary component of our ongoing commitment to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the Tucson community and across the nation by reducing travel by faculty, staff and students," the email said.
The designated as "reading days" are:
β’ Thursday, February 25, 2021
β’ Tuesday, March 9, 2021
β’ Wednesday, March 10, 2021
β’ Friday, April 2, 2021
β’ Wednesday, April 21, 2021
The UA joins a list of other universities that are skipping spring break 2021 to help mitigate spread of the virus, including the University of Michigan, Iowa State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison and others. Many other universities voted instead to start the spring semester later than usual, making the UA unique in its decision to spread out the five days off.Β
A petition on Change.org asking administrators to "Keep spring break 2021" had more than 400 signatures by Wednesday afternoon.
Karla Bautista, a UA freshman who signed the petition, said she was shocked at the school's decision.
"With COVID-19, this is my first semester at the U of A and it has not been good on my mental health," Bautista wrote in the petition. "I was looking forward to spring break for a mental health week."
She said she had to adjust to not having a fall break this semester, something she was used to during high school, so she was looking forward to a mid-semester break in the spring.Β
Adjusting to online classes during the pandemic has also been stressful for students and probably for faculty, Bautista said in an interview with the Daily Star.Β
She said students also use the break to catch on classes they might be behind on, which they can't do with days off spread out throughout the semester.
Photos: The Pride of Arizona takes the field with virus safety in mind
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Brandon Vega, second year band student, plays the bass during during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice at The University of Arizona, , in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Thomas Gonzales, percussion director, reorganizes the Pride of Arizona drumline during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice near Bear Down Field, 1440 E. 4th St., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Missy Hurtado, color guard coach, shows color guard members how to transition between flag tosses during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice at Himmel Park, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Missy Hurtado, color guard coach, records flag tosses for some online color guard members, during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice at Himmel Park, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Chase Williams, center, third year band student, practices with fellow snare drum members during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice near Bear Down Field, 1440 E. 4th St., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Charles Hunter, fourth year band student, practices playing the snare drum while wearing a mask during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice near Bear Down Field, 1440 E. 4th St., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Maddie Kirkegaard, third year band student, practices a section of an Arizona Pomline routine while wearing a mask during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice in front of the Hall of Champions, 1766 E. University Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Diego Abeytia, drum major, conducts while wearing a mask during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice at Bear Down Field, 1440 E. 4th St., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020. About 80% of the Pride of Arizona began in-person instruction on Monday, Sept. 28.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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A shadow is cast on the floor while the Arizona Pomline rehearse during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice in front of the Hall of Champions, 1766 E. University Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Sariah Poisel, third year band student, plays her clarinet through her mask during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice at Bear Down Field, 1440 E. 4th St., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020. About 80% of the Pride of Arizona began in-person instruction on Monday, Sept. 28.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
Updated
Some color guard members practice flag routines during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice at Himmel Park, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Winds players cover their instruments with bell covers while practicing during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice at Bear Down Field, 1440 E. 4th St., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020. About 80% of the Pride of Arizona began in-person instruction on Monday, Sept. 28.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Virgina Lyon, second year band student, practices flag tosses during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice at Himmel Park, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
Updated
Jordyn Chavez, fourth year band student, performs a routine for fellow dancers during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice in front of the Hall of Champions, 1766 E. University Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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The Arizona Pomline practice routines in-person while their captains and coach watch virtually during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice in front of the Hall of Champions, 1766 E. University Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
Updated
Maximiliano Zavalza, second year band student, plays the tuba through his face mask during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice at Bear Down Field, 1440 E. 4th St., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Jacob Durant, third year band student, practices proper instrument carriage during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice at Bear Down Field, 1440 E. 4th St., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Anthony Martinez, center, second year band student, practices proper instrument carriage during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice at Bear Down Field, 1440 E. 4th St., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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The Pride of Arizona wind section practice apart from each other during the first day of in-person band practice at Bear Down Field, 1440 E. 4th St., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Christopher Brown, fourth year band student, plays the trumpet during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice at The University of Arizona, , in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
Pride of Arizona Marching Band, 2020
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Zack Blough, third year band student, plays the tenor drum during the Pride of Arizona's first day of in-person band practice near Bear Down Field, 1440 E. 4th St., in Tucson, Ariz., on September 28, 2020.
