Many of Binghamton University’s Jewish students will be racing to get home by sundown this Wednesday to celebrate Passover, one of Judaism’s most important holidays. But those who have class until Wednesday afternoon may struggle to get home in time for their Seders because, according to the school calendar, classes don’t dismiss until 1 p.m.
For many students who have a long trek home, sticking it out for class until the bitter end may make for a frustrating trip home.
“If they are going to have a break for Easter and Passover, they should have considered how long it will take for people to get home for those particular holidays and plan more accordingly,” said Elizabeth Klein, a junior psychobiology major.
According to Klein, it is awkward and confusing for everyone to have to recess for a break midday.
“One p.m. is also a late time to leave campus, especially if you live far away,” said Jacob Harel, a junior biochemistry major.
Harel plans on going home Monday night so he can help clean up for the holiday on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Although I wish they recessed school a little earlier, it is nice that they gave us off a week in the first place,” he said.
According to Wayne Jones, executive assistant to President Lois B. DeFleur, the academic calendar is drawn up as many as five years in advance by a committee of staff, faculty and students. The schedule is based on the state Department of Education guidelines. According to Jones, the committee does get together each year to make adjustments.
However, Jones said that he feels students will have enough time to make it home by sunset when Passover officially begins.
In addition to the late dismissal of classes on Wednesday, some students are concerned about missing the part of the holiday that falls after the break when classes are back in session.
“Two of the most important Passover days are the 19th and the 20th of this month. On these days work is not permitted according to Jewish law. Writing, which taking an exam involves, and many other activities are considered to be work,” said Keegan Bailey, a senior political science major.
Keegan has been excused from one exam, but another one of his professors declined to offer an alternative time, since so few students have approached him about the conflict.
“I am Orthodox and have to miss an extra two days the following week,” said senior Sarah Dreisinger.
Dreisinger said that classes should also be cancelled this Wednesday because students need to arrive home in time to be with their families and help set up for the holiday.
“It is a major holiday, like Christmas Eve, and therefore it is disrespectful to have to rush home,” she said.
Other students, like sophomore David Bass, who will be celebrating Passover, sympathize with the difficulty of fitting all of the holidays into the academic calendar and are glad they have any time off at all.
“It would be nice if they cancelled classes on Wednesday, but I’m OK with the way the schedule is. We can’t expect to have every holiday off,” Bass said.
Many professors have been understanding when it comes to students missing classes for Passover, making exceptions for those who have to leave early.
Dreisinger said that her professors don’t mind her missing class when she returns to school.
“My professors have been respectful and accepting of the holiday,” said freshman Dori Gelb. Her 10:50 a.m. English class is cancelled for those students who need to make it home in time for the holiday.
Freshman Nicolas Kolios said his 10:50 Judaic studies class is also cancelled on Wednesday. He also has an exam the week he returns to school, which his professor has allowed him to reschedule.
“The school’s policy seems good, I haven’t had a problem with professors making expectations,” Kolios said.