Binghamton University adds three ‘Rejuvenation Days’ to spring calendar

Binghamton University’s Student Association (SA) and the SA Congress have collaborated with senior administrators to provide three days off in the spring semester that were not originally on the academic calendar. Referred to as Rejuvenation Days, classes will not be held on Wednesday, March 17; Thursday, April 8; or Tuesday, April 20.

“It was a great idea and we were pleased to work with the SA to have students select the dates,” President Harvey Stenger said. “We realized that the fall semester was a struggle for some students, and hard on faculty as well. Adding these days will give everyone a bit of a breather at what can be a hectic time of the semester.”

“With the spring semester slated to run from mid-February through late May without the typical breaks and days off students have seen in past semesters, it was important that the SA recognize the mental health difficulties that affected students this fall,” said Ross Mesnick, speaker of Congress.

The days off were put forth by students and approved unanimously by the Congress at its Dec. 1 meeting.

“We learned from the fall semester, with only weekends free from classes, that both students and faculty were feeling burned out,” said Donald Nieman, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Motivation is one key to a successful academic career, and adding these quick breaks will help motivate our students to have a more successful semester.”

The effort, spearheaded by SA President Khaleel James, Executive Vice President Maggie Koekkoek and Vice President of Finance Jacob Eckhaus, has increased student input into the academic calendar and shown that the University administration is open to implementing student suggestions, Mesnick said.

“All of our student representatives understood the importance of taking time off during a rigorous and lengthy semester,” Mesnick added. “And now that these days have been selected, the SA is exploring the possibility of providing various activities that would still be safe for students to responsibly gather and engage in during these days off.”