The university is considering expanding the finals schedule to a full week instead of the current four-day arrangement. The Monday break students fondly call dead day is on the chopping block.

The proposed schedule allows a full two hours for each testing period, increases the break between exams to 30 minutes and adds an hour break each day for lunch. This is accomplished by eliminating dead day.

However, dead day is worth saving because it has remained popular with students over the years. Rich traditions are associated with it and it affords an extra day of exam preparation for students interested in using it as such. Dead day offers flexibility to students struggling with their current exam schedule and a day of rest to students weary after a long semester.

For many, dead day has been a customary element in the conclusion of the semester. Many groups plan holiday parties and get-togethers for dead day rather than squeeze those events into the already overloaded weekend before. The staff in Chambers, for example, has a traditional dead day croquet match every year that is not to be messed with.

Students who need plenty of serious study time can use dead day to go through their notes and study guides again. Students have space for cramming instead of rushing through the material over the weekend, thus preventing them from having to sacrifice church on Sunday.

Dead day is perfect for those who don’t wish to cram to just hang out. Everyone is already hyped up about the holidays and ready to do something exciting with friends. Dead day opens up an opportunity to say final goodbyes in a fun way before everyone splits after the last exams.

The university could possibly be setting itself up for disaster by rushing into exams. We believe a free day is beneficial in gathering one’s intellectual composure.

There are situations for some students where too many exams fall on the same day, but dead day is available to help with rescheduling needs. Students who complain that exams are too congested could always appeal to take an exam on dead day if they need to without affecting the rest of the student body.

Exam week can be rough for students, so why extend the length of it and prolong the suffering? Four days is long enough. Please don’t take away our beloved dead day.