The UA systems decided to replace spring break this year with an extended winter break. This was intended to stop students from travelling over spring break to prevent spreading COVID-19. While this decision was necessary for the physical health of students, faculty, and staff, this has resulted in negative effects to the student body's mental health. UAH students deserve a one-day wellness break for a variety of reasons.

For example, the full time faculty and staff of the university still have the opportunity to use their paid spring break leave as they desire. This allowed the faculty and staff to have a well-deserved break. However, it is wrong to expect students to carry on with their classes during these unprecedented times, all the while knowing the mental challenges students must endure. Students deserve equal treatment to the UAH faculty.

Also, the University of Alabama, a fellow member of the UA System, gave their students a one-day wellness break. To quote the president of the University of Alabama, Stuart R. Bell, "It’s important to set aside time to rest and reflect so you can recharge and finish the semester strong." This same philosophy should justify equal treatment to students at UAH.

The UAH administration may argue that students were given a "break" with the February snow days. The Office Academic Affairs sent an email saying, "The University will be closed on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Classes will not be in session, online or in person". However, professors still posted lectures on the days campus was closed to avoid getting behind, despite this statement. Therefore, this should not be considered as a "break". Considering the snow days as a break would not qualify as equal treatment to UAH students in comparison to UA students. 

With the decision to terminate spring break during this 2021 semester, UAH students have endured a long and taxing semester without any relief from course work and other academic responsibilities. It is unfair for full-time faculty and staff to have the privilege to take their break, while students are forced to continue business as usual. It is also unjustified to call the February snow days a break, since some students were still given course work. Lastly, the University of Alabama, along with other universities, have already set a precedent for a "One-Day Wellness Break", and UAH should follow suit to provide equal treatment to UAH students.

Sign this petition if you believe UAH students deserve a One-Day Wellness Break to finish this semester strong!