We Live Where You Spring Break?

“What are you doing for spring break, Charlotte?”
“Oh, I’m just going to stay on campus I think, I might go home.”
“Oh. Alright, have fun with that.”
“….Thanks?”

Two weeks later I woke up and took the elevator down to the first floor of my building. There it was, to my horror, “Stadium Center is closed for Spring Break 2010!”

“Oh crap,” I thought to myself, “Spring Break. “

The University of Tampa campus is normally very lively. However, when breaks in the semester come up, it’s a completely different story.
Not only was the first floor of Stadium Center shut down for the week, but it was also closed on the Friday before spring break. This had outraged many people I encountered that day. While many UT students pride themselves on their three to four day weekend, some of us have class on Fridays. As a matter of fact, some of us even had exams to take that particular Friday. Not only was I stressed out over an American Lit exam, but on top of that I couldn’t even get my Jazzman’s caffeine fix (which is something I look forward to daily).

Monday morning rolled around and I had my heart set on getting to the Vaughn cafeteria early and nabbing a famous omelet. But no, the international station was closed. Keeping my hopes high, I was still looking forward to picking up The New York Times, which I read religiously. But that was taken away from me as well. Apparently time stands still here at UT over spring break.

The McNiff Fitness Center was also closed for the 2010 Spring Break, allowing limited options for exercise to the students who stayed on campus. This had led me to take myself and my weak knees over to the track, which I wouldn’t call a successful workout (I made it three laps before I had to call it quits).

My flight up to gloomy and cold New England weather started to look more appealing by the minute.

This unfortunately isn’t the first time I’ve personally felt kicked to the curb during a break here at UT. Thanksgiving last semester shared a similar tone, with not much activity on campus as well. I felt like every aspect of this school I take advantage of (and pay for) was stolen away from me over night.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way, which is exactly why our school needs to plan accordingly and become more considerate of the students who choose to stay on campus during time off class such as spring break. Students shouldn’t have to feel unwelcome at a place they call home.