By Kyle Peveto, Page Editor

Scheduled close to Thanksgiving break and later in the semester than the past few years, fall break is still a welcome Friday off for many students in the middle of a hectic fall semester.

The break is one week later this year because it is scheduled for the weekend after Homecoming, which is scheduled when the football team is playing in Abilene, said Evelyn Greenlee, curricular publication and program specialist.

“A lot of work goes into Homecoming,” she said. “People are ready for the break.”

A calendar committee assembled from all departments of the university and led by Dr. Tom Winter, associate provost, draws up the calendar each year.

The three-day weekend originally was scheduled in early October as a mid-semester break to lessen the number of overstressed and sick students. Though fall break falls closer to Thanksgiving and the end of the semester this year, many students said they appreciate any break.

“It makes no difference,” said Shasta Cafey, junior youth and family ministry major from Ulysses, Kan., “as long as we get a break.”

For some students, earlier fall break dates interfered with prior commitments.

“I like that it’s later because it is past the tennis season,” said Trent Broach, senior communication major from San Antonio. Broach’s past breaks were taken over by his participation on the university’s tennis team.

Fall break also marks the end of pledging for the fall. Some pledges said they would prefer the break during pledging.

“I really wouldn’t mind if it came sooner,” said David Brunett, sophomore biology major from Lake Jackson. “I’m taking 18 hours and pledging.”

For some, the one day off is not enough or just poorly placed.

“It doesn’t divide it up the way it should,” said Laura Smith, junior business management major from Greensboro, N.C. “Fall break is only one extra day. It should be three days during the week or before the weekend.”