Breaking News: No fall break one for students

Nicholls recently announced that its first fall break would be used as make-up days because of the two days of missed classes due to Hurricane Harvey.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Lynn Gillette explained that fall breaks one and two are reserved hurricane/natural disaster days. The university made the decision to rescind the first fall break because there are many other storms in the Atlantic Ocean, and a storm’s path is always uncertain. The university wanted to be proactive in the event of another storm approaching Louisiana.

Gillette stated that Nicholls has an “obligation to make up classes” when they are missed, since the students pay money for every class taken.

The decision to cancel classes is not taken lightly. Nicholls’ Emergency Preparedness Committee contacts President Murphy, and they meet to come to a decision on whether the school should remain open or closed.

In the meeting, the committee and President Murphy view weather reports. They determine if the situation will be too dangerous for faculty, staff and students to report to class.

According to Gillette, if another storm were to come, the school’s second fall break would be used as make-up days since they are hurricane/natural disaster days. However, if a storm caused the campus to close for an extended amount of time, Nicholls has arrangements with other universities so that classes may continue elsewhere.