Students have approximately 96 hours to get home, eat turkey, watch a few football games and give their cousins swirlies before returning to campus for the final eight days of class.

A look around campus shows that many students have already left for an extended holiday. But some aren't so fortunate and will remain on campus for the entire Thanksgiving break.

Work, lack of transportation and money are the primary factors keeping many students in Tucson.

"I am staying here and working. I'm a college student, so we all know I need the money," said art history senior Angela Bonano.

Most of campus will be shut down for the holiday, but residence halls will stay open. Some will offer dinner for people who are unable to leave for the weekend.

An Apache-Santa Cruz Residence Hall resident will be making a full dinner for 20 residents and resident assistants Thursday evening, said hall director Ed Gilhool.

Each dorm will have a resident assistant on duty during the four-day break.

Dinner in Yuma Residence Hall will be provided by an on-duty RA and his family, however, no one has signed up for the "feast" yet, said Jennifer Anderson, a Yuma desk assistant.

Many students are looking forward to time with their families over Thanksgiving, especially those who haven't seen their families in years.

"This year, we have a lot of family flying from all over the country. It will be the first time we've been together in a long time," said Claire Lauer, a rhetoric and composition graduate student.

Some students and their families will be returning to campus Friday to check out some live Wildcat football after a day of watching games on TV.

"I am going up to Phoenix for Thanksgiving and then I'm coming back on Friday with my whole family for the football game," said pre-physiological sciences freshman Rose Pedersen. "It's a big deal."

Viewpoints

Photos by Emily Reid

Faculty, staff and students are heading home for Thanksgiving on what is one of the busiest travel days of the year.

The day is a time for family, food and thankfulness. The Wildcat asked students what they are thankful for.

"I am grateful just for the blessings I have: my family, my talents ÷ because I'm going to be a famous opera singer one day ÷ and my lovely friends."

Karina Cole
vocal performance sophomore

"I'm thankful that I'm healthy, that I'm happy and that I get to go to college. I have a lot to be thankful for."

Girard Kelly
computer engineering sophomore

"I'm thankful to have my lovely sisters joining me, walking around U of A. What else am I thankful for? Family, yeah."

Meghan Smart
pre-vet sophomore

"I'm thankful for my family. They are always loving and supportive and encourage me through school."

Julie Kinzy
finance junior