Starting next fall, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving Monday will become a study break day at the University of Guelph. The University will be open, but no classes will be scheduled.

The study break day was approved Monday by the University’s Senate.

The proposal was made by the Central Student Association (CSA), and approved by Senate’s Boards of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies before Monday’s meeting.

CSA members said the proposal stemmed from growing concerns about student stress, anxiety and other mental health issues. They said the extended break would give students more time to get support from family and friends during the Thanksgiving holiday, and provide an extra study day.

A teaching day will be added at the end of the semester, meaning only two days will separate the end of classes and the start of the exam period.

This change will affect most programs on the Guelph, Ridgetown, Alfred and Kemptville campuses. The DVM program will accommodate the change for Phases 1, 2 and 3 but not for Phase 4.