The Student Government Association (SGA) Senate passed a resolution on Jan. 17 supporting a two-day extension to Thanksgiving break.

Traditionally, students have attended classes on Monday and Tuesday during the week of Thanksgiving. If approved by UA administration, the fall semester will begin two days earlier to account for the extended Thanksgiving Break.

Vice President of External Affairs Harrison Adams, a junior majoring in economics and finance, is an author of the resolution.

According to the legislation, 57 percent of the student population is made up of out-of-state students.

“A lot of [out-of-state students] don’t see their family for the entire semester,” Adams said. “So, we thought this was a great way to allow students to go home and spend time with their families.”

Adams said the Thanksgiving break extension has been pitched to UA administration.

“We wanted to gauge the amount of student support we had and then pass the legislation through the Senate before we take it back to administration,” Adams said. “They were very receptive the first time, so hopefully this will give us more ammunition to say this will really impact and benefit students.”

The University’s academic calendar is set three years in advance. Adams said the change in the schedule will likely take effect three years from now if it is approved by administration.

The Senate also passed the SGA Safety Act, which establishes a partnership between the SGA, The University of Alabama Police Department and the Tuscaloosa Police Department.

The goal of the act is to host a series of self defense and active shooter training classes.

“We thought it would be beneficial for the campus to hold training sessions for active shooter situations, as well as self defense classes for men and women,” said Sen. Jason Rothfarb, a sophomore majoring in political science.

Adams said the classes will likely take place next fall.

“If you turned on the news in the last few years, there has been an increase in the amount of emergency situations, like school shootings,” Adams said.

The Senate also unanimously passed a resolution supporting extending the amount of time the campus outdoor pool remains open during the fall semester.

During the 2018 fall semester, the pool closed on Labor Day. The SGA hopes to extend the pool’s operation date to Oct. 14 for the 2019 fall semester.

Order of Events

1. Katterli Edwards was confirmed for First Year Council.
2. R-32-19, a resolution recognizing The University of Alabama Student Health Center for exemplary service to the community was passed.
3. Resolution R-33-19, supporting an additional two days be added to Thanksgiving break was passed without opposition.
4. The Senate passed Act A-42-19, or the SGA Safety Act.
5. R-34-18, a resolution in support of Stalking Awareness Week was unanimously passed.
6. Resolution R-35-19, supporting an extension date for the campus outdoor pool to remain open, was passed.