Our student leaders are in the process of pushing for an extended Thanksgiving break.

Sounds like a great idea. That is, if it weren't for the horrible timing.

While having a nine-day break two weeks before the end of the semester may sound nice at first, in the long run it doesn't make sense.

A long break at the end of November would ultimately be a burden to students, faculty and staff.

A long break at the end of November would ultimately be a burden to students, faculty and staff

Sure, there would be some benefits. For instance, if students used the break to catch up on homework, finish semester projects and begin studying for final exams, having a week off might be a fine idea.

But how many of us spend the entire Spring Break getting ahead on schoolwork? Rather, Spring Break is a time to hit the beach, take a drive, go home or sleep. That's why we have it ÷ to take a break from school.

Imagine having Spring Break during the last week of April. Most students would say, "Let's just get this damn semester over," and opt to take finals and get into the summer break.

Student Body President Doug Hartz should be commended for taking the initiative to the Faculty Senate. Students definitely deserve a break in the fall semester, and are often drastically burnt out by the time Thanksgiving rolls around.

Still, the UA exists to serve in-state students, students who have a maximum six-hour drive to get home. Those 25,000 or so students can arrive at their doorstep Wednesday after classes get out.

Only about 30 percent of students are from outside of the state. These students made an unstated pact when they decided to jump on a plane and attend the UA. Not being able to make it home for Thanksgiving was a trade-off for not attending school in their home state. And most can still go home; they just might miss the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Let's not use the facade of saving money as a reason to justify a Fall Break. If the state were not in a budget crunch, Hartz would not be trying to sell his presidential platform agenda on the basis of dollars. The UA needs a Fall Break because we endure a 16-week semester, which is longer than most schools. But students do not need nine days to gobble turkey.

If effort is to be put into creating a Fall Break, let's do it for the right reasons. If only we could make like the Canadians and have Thanksgiving in October.