The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Faculty Senate has voted to lengthen winter break and eliminate spring break in 2021 in an effort to discourage travel that might facilitate the spread of Covid-19.
The Capitol Times reports that the resolution extends winter break by one week and pushes the start of spring semester from Jan. 19 to Jan. 25, regardless of whether classes are held online or in person. The vote was 140 to 7 in favor of the plan.
Spring break had been scheduled for March 27 through April 4, 2021. Under the new calendar, there will be no classes on March 27 or April 2 and 3, allowing for an extended weekend mid-semester without changing the total number of instructional days.
Provost Karl Scholz called the resolution “the best of an imperfect set of proposals” for the spring, saying the university wishes to reduce travel and prioritize the health and safety of its community.
Citing potentially higher risk of virus spread in the winter than the spring, Scholz said it made sense to “take advantage of warmer weather” later in the year.
Agronomy professor Bill Tracy spoke in favor of the resolution, saying it is the best option to reduce risk of further disruptions.
“If we remove spring break, that gives us the best chance of having a normal graduation and senior year for students,” Tracy said. “We don’t even know if we’ll have an in-person graduation, but we all want to.”
