According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Thanksgiving is celebrated as a legal holiday for people to be thankful for what they have, yet the traditional family turkey dinner is not always the story for some Oswego State students.

Whether it is because of athletics, foreign exchange programs or working opportunities, some students are not able to take a break, spend time with loved ones or celebrate this great American tradition.

Out of the entire academic year, the time between the beginning of classes fall semester and Thanksgiving break is the longest time that the residence halls are open and students spend time in school away from home.

For all students, the Thanksgiving break should mean exactly what it is called: a break. Professors should refrain from giving big assignments or test directly after Thanksgiving and let students appreciate their time off not as students but as people.

  For student athletes, the holidays should let them take not only a mental break, but a physical break. Scheduling athletes to compete or train during this time goes against what it means to have time set aside in the academic schedule. This period of time is allocated for students to take off from school and observe the holiday to give thanks, not to take off from school and train.

For foreign exchange students, experiencing Thanksgiving is important to experiencing American culture. Staying on campus is not the same as staying in an American home. If the International Education office wanted to give foreign exchange students a full experience, it would be interesting if they could set up a program where foreign exchange students can go home with American students and see what Thanksgiving is really like.

Letting students stay over the Thanksgiving break is an appropriate service that Oswego State offers for students who cannot or do not want to go home for the holidays but in no way should the school make it mandatory for students to have to stay for the Thanksgiving break.

This holiday is an American tradition for a reason and it is time for the school to recognize the full extent of this time to give thanks instead of take advantage of it.