JESSICA MEDITZ
Editor in Chief
After hearing the concerns of students and the circulation of an online petition, there will be two days in April in which all classes will be canceled.
April 13 and 21, described as “mental health days,” are intended to help relieve the stress inflicted onto students by the coronavirus pandemic.
This announcement is anticipated to be shared with the campus community tomorrow, April 1, as part of President Stephen Kolison’s weekly Thursday update.
According to an email sent to Fredonia faculty by Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Kevin Kearns, “This is not a decision that was taken lightly or without careful consideration of the impact of class cancellations on teaching and learning. However, we ask that you join us in recognizing that our emphasis on health and safety requires us to also recognize the mental health impact of the pandemic.”
As a result of the pandemic, what would have been spring break was canceled to avoid the opportunity for students to engage in unnecessary traveling and gathering activities.
This hypothesis became a reality when Fredonia’s COVID cases nearly doubled as a result of St. Patrick’s Day parties and gatherings.
However, after a “sharp rise in reports of mental health issues among [our] students,” as Kearns said in the email, a compromise had to be made.
Last week, The Leader polled students on Instagram. Of the 128 students who responded, 98 of them believe that Fredonia should offer a week-long break.
Each opinion on the matter has its reasons, though, including the concern that schedules have already been made.
The Leader intends to follow up with faculty standpoints regarding their class schedules and how they plan to make up for lost time due to the mental health days.