Students may have been surprised when they received their syllabi this semester to see two days off in October, but may not have noticed they lost two reading days from December.

Classes are not scheduled Oct. 10-11 thanks to a Student Government proposal that was approved by the Faculty Senate. However, the break was not scheduled to go into effect until next year.

“This wasn’t supposed to take place until fall of 2017,” said Robert Zoeller, president of the Faculty Union. “I was surprised to see that it obviously was moved up to fall of 2016, but I do not recall this being voted [on].”

On April 1, Faculty Senate President Christopher Beetle brought up the break at the Senate’s monthly meeting.

It was recommended to call the days off “reading days,” rather than a fall break. Beetle suggested to bring up the break again this semester to “remind faculty to assess the benefits of the fall break.”

“The break has been created essentially by moving two reading days from the end of the semester to mid-October,” Beetle said. “Students’ learning outcomes would benefit from them having a short reprieve from the regular class schedule to study mid-semester.”

Though some instructors may not mind the break, not everyone on the Faculty Senate is convinced that it is necessary and are unsure that it will benefit students academically.

“There was a pro and con discussion of the break, and it was put to a vote. I did not vote in favor of it,” Zoeller said. “The rationale motivating it, I didn’t feel was strong. The idea I would hope is to help students academically.”

Several students said they are in favor of having the time to catch up because their workload is normally overwhelming in October.

“It can be stressful during midterms. I think time off can always help,” said Marie Antoinette, a senior music education major. “Depending on what the students’ major is and the difficulty of their courses, they may need the time to study.”

Freshman engineering major Farhin Haque said, “It can be a good thing to have a break … I might spend some time doing homework and studying, and maybe I’ll relax and take time off.”

One student understands that not everyone will use their time wisely, but likes having the choice.

“This break is like a gift,” said Christian Correa, a sophomore sports management major. “I do feel like if you are a student who goes to the beach or something two days and treats it like a weekend, this break won’t help.”

He is happy to have the couple of days to catch up with friends and family that he usually would not be able to.

“I took advantage and booked a flight to visit my family,” said Correa. “Chance the Rapper is having a concert in Miami on Oct. 10, a couple of friends and I are going down there.”

Florida’s 12 public universities academic calendar breaks

University of Florida:

Has reading days Dec. 8-9.
Does not have a fall break.

University of South Florida:

Has reading days Nov. 30- Dec. 1.
Does not have a fall break.

University of Central Florida:

Has a study day Dec. 5.
Does not have a fall break.

Florida A&M University:

Does not have reading days before Finals.
Does not have a fall break.

Florida Gulf Coast University:

Has a study day Nov. 23.
Does not have a fall break.

Florida Polytechnic University:

Has reading days from Dec. 8-9.
Does not have a fall break.

University of North Florida:

Does not have reading days.
Does not have a fall break.

University of West Florida:

Does not have reading days.
Does not have a fall break.

Florida State University:

Does not have reading days.
Does not have a fall break.
Oct. 14 after 1:10 p.m. classes are cancelled for Homecoming.

Florida International University:

Does not have reading days.
Does not have a fall break.

New College of Florida:

Has a fall break Oct. 10-14

Events taking place during break

Grossology: The (impolite) Science of the Human Body

Florida Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach
Event goes through Oct. 11, open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Adults: $15
Children aged 3-12: $11

Dancing Prokofiev and Ravel

Aventura Arts and Cultural Center in Aventura
Oct. 9, 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30

Sin Bandera live in concert:

American Airlines Arena
Oct. 9, 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: start at $35

Taking Back Sunday with Loose Talk & Mammoth Indigo

Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale
Oct. 9, 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35

Chance the Rapper: Magnificent Coloring World Tour

The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theatre
Oct. 10-11 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: start at $95

Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins

Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens
Oct. 9, 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $40

NBA preseason game: Brooklyn Nets at Miami Heat

American Airlines Arena in Miami
Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: start at $10

Joe Pye is the news editor of the University Press. For more information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet him @Jpeg3189