With many universities across the country and state choosing to give students the week of Thanksgiving off, at TCU the official last day for scheduled classes is today. Carrie Collier, a sophomore business management major, chose to miss classes today and Tuesday to get home to her family a day or two earlier. Political science professor Joanne Green said she will have class despite the annual low turn-out. If students don't want to have class on those days, then I would encourage them to lobby the school to get off earlier. I don't have a specific attendance policy for my classes.
Students are adults and they make their own decisions.
Lori Lukins, a sophomore ballet major, said she would like to spend an extra day at home, but missing class would be too costly. Many TCU students, like Collier, will be flying home to see their relatives this week, but others will choose to drive. The Texas Department of Transportation lists the day before Thanksgiving as the most heavily traveled day of the year. According to national statistics reported by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, over 40 percent of the 578 traffic fatalities recorded over Thanksgiving weekend in 1999 were alcohol related. Sparkle Greenhaw, assistant director of alcohol and drug education, said students who are traveling home for Thanksgiving need to practice safe driving habits.