I am shocked that the University Faculty Senate has suggested eliminating fall break from the academic calendar.

Even though, for more than 140 years, Penn State students have managed to survive the grinding rigor of the fall schedule, the fact that students are now saying "lasting 13 weeks out of the semester until Thanksgiving break would be next to impossible for most students" should give the senators serious pause over their suggestion. Have the senators no hearts? Have they no shame? Can you believe that from 1855 to 1863 there wasn't even a Thanksgiving holiday for the students to enjoy? Is this what is next in their nefarious plans?

Do not let what has been set in stone over the last three years be wiped off the books like it had never even happened for the vain goals of "academics" and "responsibility." Save the students' fragile sanity and keep the break!