DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – In a normal year, spring break is one of the most popular times to travel. But for students at St. Norbert College, traveling may be out of the question.
The university eliminated breaks, like spring break, for the 2020-2021 school year.
“It was projected that COVID would most likely still be spreading across the country and within our communities across Wisconsin so for the health and safety of our campus community, I think it was a very prudent decision,” St. Norbert health services director Chrystal Woller said.
Eliminating breaks allowed for the fall semester to end earlier, and the spring semester to start later.
Students had eight weeks in between fall and spring semester away from campus.
“We’ve been so impressed with by the way that the students have responded and the way that students are thinking about one another and the community,” St. Norbert vice president for academic affairs Dr. Jennifer Bonds-Raacke said.
While others might be ready to travel, Dr. Mark Cockley, ThedaCare Chief Clinical Officer, tells FOX 11 there are additional considerations that should be made before traveling amid the pandemic.
“Where do I potentially travel? Is there a COVID spike going on there? Who am I going to be exposed to.”
Dr. Cockley says it’s likely there will be a spike in cases due to spring break travels, similar to spikes we saw after Christmas and New Years.
“It all depends on how well people avoid social gatherings, avoid those increased risks, continue to wear their mask and wash their hands.”
Dr. Cockley says there’s still a lot to be cautious about.
“It’s refreshing that the numbers are going down, we have fewer people in the hospital, fewer people in the ICU, but it’s not the time to give up and say it’s over. Because it’s not.”
St. Norbert College began its spring semester on February 1st. Classes will end in May.
