The Omnibus

Issue date: 4/15/04 Section: The Forum

Comment on this article

Classes resumed Monday, April 12 at Southwest Baptist University after the school's annual Easter Break. The break consisted of no classes on Good Friday, April 9. Students were asked, however, to attend classes the day after Easter, forcing many students to travel several hours on the holiday.

Many SBU students like freshman Stephanie Luce, do not live in Missouri and traveling on Easter takes away from cherished time with their families.

"I did not get to spend very much time with my family because I live in Nebraska," Luce said. "I had to drive for seven hours on Easter to get back to Bolivar."

Several other students were not able to travel home at all because they did not feel it would be worthwhile to drive a great distance, turn right around and drive back to school.

"Since I live eight hours away, traveling home for only two days with my family tends to take energy out of me instead of allowing me to fellowship and celebrate the holiday with them," sophomore Mandy Benso said.

The question this provokes is why does SBU not give its students the day after Easter to travel back to Bolivar? By extending the break to include Monday, students would have extra time to spend with their families and to celebrate Jesus' resurrection.

I know past writers for the Omnibus have addressed this topic, but I believe my arguments are unique.

The main problem I have with students not having Monday off is that both Northwest Missouri State University and Truman State University were granted Monday off, and neither are Christian universities.

Should we not assume that a Christian university would at least display the same amount of compassion for its students as schools that are not "Christ-centered?" I believe so.

In the past, administration has said they could not give students the day after Easter off because there are not enough days in the spring semester. However, next year Easter falls over SBU's Spring Break and classes are scheduled to resume once again on Monday, the day after Easter.

With students already having Good Friday off for Spring Break next year, the calendar should allow for students to have Monday off to travel back and still spend a sufficient amount of time with their families and in worship.

I believe allowing students the extra day would show SBU is Christ-centered and cares about the well-being of its students. The extra day would also demonstrate a desire to see students enjoy their right to celebrate the resurrection of Christ with their families.

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