When Thanksgiving comes around, students at some other area colleges are given the entire week off. However, Kirkwood Community College still holds classes on Monday and Tuesday of that week, giving students and faculty only three days off.
At first, we, the Communiqué editors, were ready to join the chorus and shout, “That’s unfair!” But our mindset shifted a bit once we investigated.
Jennifer Bradley, vice president of Academic Affairs, said one of the biggest factors in setting the academic calendar, and the main reason Kirkwood does not offer a full week off, is the need to align with K–12 partners to accommodate the large number of concurrent enrollment students.
She added that Iowa state code also dictates the number of class meeting minutes required per credit hour, the time needed between semesters to process final grades and calculate financial aid eligibility, and even the dates available to rent the Alliant Powerhouse for graduation.
So a seemingly simple scheduling decision is actually more complex. If we must attend classes Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, let’s discuss what happens on those days.
There is a negative connotation around attending class right before a holiday. Many professors are lenient with content that week, yet some students don’t come in with a learning mindset. This leaves us frustrated with two days of (dare we say) mostly impractical coursework.
What makes these days particularly challenging is that they often feel like filler time, neither fully instructional nor fully relaxed.
Students walk into classes unsure whether the material will matter long-term or simply be set aside once everyone returns from break. When the purpose of a class day isn’t clear, motivation naturally drops.
And when motivation drops, so does the value of those required instructional minutes. This isn’t just a student issue.
Many instructors also struggle with how to use these days. Do they introduce new material, knowing half the class may be mentally checked out or absent? Do they review past content, even if students are preoccupied with travel plans and holiday responsibilities?
Some courses push forward, others pause entirely, and students are left unsure how seriously to take the time.
Hours in class are important, but when the content provided doesn’t feel meaningful, the courses can seem almost useless, resulting in a poor experience and a missed opportunity for a better fall break.
Strengthening those two days would not solve concern about the academic calendar, but it would help ensure that the time students spend in the classroom, especially right before a major holiday, feels worthwhile, purposeful and respectful of everyone’s time.
Categories: Opinion, Staff Editorials
