Some professors give students a break for spring

"I attempt to give students a relaxing spring break by giving the midterm on the Friday before break rather than after they come back," said Steve Yool, a UA geography professor who scheduled an exam tomorrow for his 1 p.m. Physical Geography class.

Yool, who said he is not trying to force students to stay on campus until spring break starts, is willing to accomodate students leaving early.

"There are about a half a dozen students that have talked to me out of a 200-student class, and I am letting them take it (the exam) when they come back," Yool said.

No university policy specifically states that a professor cannot cancel class before spring break, said Lynne Tronsdal, associate dean for the University College.

"The faculty have a responsibility to hold class but they can cancel class due to academic or personal reasons," Tronsdal said.

Several professors have cancelled class, including journalism Professor Jim Mitchell, who cancelled tomorrow's 1 p.m. Freedom of Expression class, and classics Professor Jon Solomon, who canceled his noon Greek Mythology I section. Both professors would not comment yesterday on their decisions to cancel class.

A UA English Department secretary said yesterday all 304 department class sections will be held as scheduled. All instructors, she said, notify her before canceling a class.

Even if professors don't officially cancel classes, it is up to the student to decide whether he or she will risk missing class by leaving early for a trip.

"Students are going to skip anyways," said Lindsey Nolan, a geosciences junior. "And it's a waste of time for people who do go."