Spring planning

There is one week left of the semester and we’re already springing into the next. The 2022 spring academic calendar is officially completed and posted on Waynesburg University’s website.

After the 2021 fall semester ends next week, the University’s undergraduate programs will begin a month-long winter recess period. Undergraduate students will be back on campus Jan. 10, which will mark the official start of the 2022 spring semester.

Looking at this year’s spring calendar, a major difference from last year’s calendar is the return of spring break.

“It’s going to be so nice to have a week off to help refresh and recharge,” said Cal Kildow, junior education major.

The 2022 spring break kicks off Feb. 26. This entire week off from classes is a switch up from last year’s Keep Waynesburg

Well protocol.

“Wellness days seem to be a thing of the past, as the University, its students and the Student Senate have been wanting more normal breaks to return,” said Student Senate President

Luke Diel. “We know many students and faculty were upset in the previous year.”

Even with the return of spring break, there are just as many instructional weeks as the 2021 spring semester. Comparing last year’s calendar on Waynesburg’s website to this year’s calendar, both semesters have a total of 16 instructional weeks. 

Despite the same amount of weeks, the addition of spring break means students return to classes Monday, Jan. 10, a few days earlier than last year. This would be different to last year’s spring semester, which began virtually on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021.

“I feel spring break is a good way to break up the semester,” said junior journalism and public relations major Gwyn Napier. “I think I do better mentally when we have breaks every couple of weeks.”

Another break built into the upcoming semester is for the Easter holiday. Classes will be paused starting Good Friday on April 15, through Monday, April 18 until 6 p.m. This break comes just a week before final examinations of the spring semester, April 25 to 29.

From Diel’s perspective, these changes to last year’s spring calendar were difficult for students.

“Unfortunately, over the course of the past year the University has had to change the length of these breaks in the hopes to mitigate the risks of students going off campus for extended periods of time,” Diel said. “These measures, while difficult for students, were taken so the risk of COVID-19 spread could be low and students would not have to be tested.”

As for the students, they’re just happy to have spring break back.

“I’m already planning my trip for the spring,” said Chase Espen, junior finance major.