Lecture halls are going to be very quiet come Halloween, as McMaster's schedule incorporates a three-day break from classes and midterms for the first time ever, thanks to the McMaster Students Union. In the 2012-2013 school year, the MSU advocated for a fall break based on overwhelming student demand. Fall break will included a two day break from classes - October 31 and November 1 - along with an assingment / test ban on Saturday, November 2.
“October is a stressful time on campus. Students need an opportunity to rest, reflect, and refocus,” said David Campbell, MSU President. “The MSU was successful in lobbying the university to respond to these needs. The result has been a significant change to how the university functions.”
Recent studies show that almost 90 percent of Canadian university students feel overwhelmed by their academic responsibilities, and almost one in ten students give serious consideration to taking their own life. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in young Canadians, second only to car accidents.
"Students can't be expected to realize the full value of their education while constantly suffering from high levels of stress," said Spencer Graham, MSU VP (Education). "The fall break will allow students to take a step back from the details of our coursework and focus on the bigger picture - our direction and pathways.”
The Fall Break was approved by the Senate of McMaster University in February as a two-year pilot project following lengthy discussions and negotiations between the McMaster Students Union and University administrators. The joint solution that was reached means that all students from all faculties will receive the same break and there will be no negative impact to the accreditation requirements of any academic program on campus.
For more information, please contact:
David Campbell
President
[email protected] r.ca
905-525-9140 ext. 23885
Via
MSU Website
