10 days of freedom: thanks for the break A week long break was instituted during the fall semester. It was a change that was welcomed by both faculty and students. Senior Gabrielle DeMatties was from Richmond Virginia. Richmond was close to 18 hours away from Searcy. She said "I appreciated the time I got to spend with my parents and friends. I thoroughly enjoyed the week off." Proposals for a week long vacation had been defeated in the past. This was primarily due to the days of classroom instruction that would have been lost. With the new streamlined registration process and a new final exam schedule, class meetings were not lost. The proposal was unanimously approved at a spring faculty meeting. To make up the days missed, fall classes began a day earlier. Also, classes were held on Saturday, December 10. Professor of Communication Mike James had this to say, "Most students were taking a week off anyway. We just made it legal. Unexcused absences were turned into excused absences." Sharon Bowles said, "I am glad that Thanksgiving vacation was lengthened because I did not need to save my skips for the extra days." Senior Scott Stewart of Mabelville , Arkansas said, " I thought it was great. You're tired by that time in the semester and you need a break. A week goes by really quickly. It was worth having to go to class on a Saturday." December commencement was moved from Friday to Saturday. This accommodated remaining final exams. The main reason the weeklong break was approved was the number of students who had been unable to go home for the holiday. Drew Strassner of Daytona Beach, Florida, said " People were happy we got a week. With just three or four days, we would have had to stay here." Junior John Paradis said, "Having a week off for Thanksgiving allowed both students and faculty to spend more time with their ALMOST HOME. Preparing for Thanksgiving was a welcomed obligation for students who were away from friends and family. -Photo by Jeff Montgomery families and friends. Hopefully the longer break will become a permanent change." - Ron Turner Stephanie K. Dempsay - Bedford, TX Kristina L. Dempsey - Pine Bluff, AR Tavia Kae Dempse y - Pine Bluff, AR Michael A. Denison - Walnut Ridge, AR Melissa A. Dennison - Knoxville, IA Walter James Denson - W. Memphi s, AR Lisa Diane DeWitt - Black Oak , AR Karen Ly nn Dewoody - Hope, AR Philip H_ DeYoung - Ca nada Jeffrey Dale Dey s - Lakeland, FL Rozelle D. Dickens - Dermott, AR Breck T. Dillard - Shreveport, LA Laura L. Dillman - Dallas. TX Angela Jill Dixon - Ca lhoun. GA Kimberl y Paige Dobbs - Indianapolis, 1 Lisa B. Dockery - Fayettevile. AR Jason W. Dodson - Mt. Judea. AR Dawn Denise Dooley - Clinton, IA David Ly nn Doss - Broken Arrow, OK Gregory Neal Downum - Walnut Hicigr . AR Elizabeth Jean Doy le - Slwrwood . AH Freshmen 277
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