There is an odd dichotomy between the first week of the semester and the last. The latter consists of empty sidewalks along Grand River Avenue and an overflow of students at the library, while the former resembles the antics of a weekend as students attempt to reconnect socially with little academic worry.
Yes, it’s syllabus week.
This week acts as a slow transition for students. Instead of rushing back to the intense university atmosphere, syllabus week allows students the time to organize and prepare for the upcoming semester.
When asked about his plans for this week, supply chain management junior Derek Ince said he wasn’t too concerned about academics, as professors tend not to treat the first week of classes like the rest.
“Because it’s syllabus week and most of my classes are cut short, I tend to put most of my focus on social activities,” Ince said. “The first week back from the long break is less about school and more about reconnecting with friends.”
While students still attend their classes, they are presented with excess free time devoid of homework.
Public policy junior Diop Harris believes syllabus week allows students the opportunity to get back into the swing of things.
“It is all about getting back into the groove of the semester ... getting that feeling back and trying to improve on last semester,” Harris said.
But it’s not just the students who are looking forward to lingering academics and an increased social life, it is also businesses. Aware that students have flooded back to campus, businesses look to regain attendance lost during winter break.
Menna’s Joint manager Eddie Montemayor understands the setback a business can take on a college campus.
“It happens every year where you get 30,000 people leaving town, you’ll have a dip,” Montemayor said.
In expectation of the return of students, Menna’s Joint got rid of their skeleton crew and began to increase the number of employees during shifts. In addition, the business created a number of promotions and specials.
“We started unveiling daily specials during break and are now trying to hype up Wednesday through Friday sales,” Montemayor said.
Similarly preparing for the return of students is Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub.
After having a slight decrease in attendance over winter break they expect to get back to their usual turnout.
“Welcome week we always staff more because we are expecting a lot more people,” General Manager Casey Comstock said. “We are currently hiring and did some hiring during the break as well.”
With students moving into the residence halls, Comstock expects a number of parents to stop by for a bite, along with students coming to celebrate an anticipated return later in the night.
