The Wake

With final exams just around the corner, it can often be difficult for students to adequately prepare for the upcoming holiday season. There is just not enough time to ace all of those exams as well as pick out that perfect gift. With the amount of time consumed with studying for and taking final exams, students tend to only have a small window of opportunity in which to purchase thoughtful gifts and bake loads of holiday treats.

Student organizations, Retail Association of Undergraduates (RAU) and Damn it Tastes Good (DITG), are teaming up in an effort to reverse this trend. They are protesting final exams by organizing a walk-out. The walk-out is scheduled to take place at noon, on Thursday, Dec. 14, the first day of finals.

In a joint statement released on Monday, the organizations stated that University final exams have had a direct affect on the steady reduction of holiday cheer over the past 10 years.

“Every year, friends and family of University students get nothing but thoughtless gifts and we have had enough,” says Kayla Schaapveld, president of RAU. “The University refuses to listen to us, so we have decided to take matters into our own hands.”

RAU has arranged for buses to bring participating students to the Mall of America immediately following the walk-out. This is meant to provide students with an adequate amount of time to devote to gift-giving.

On campus, the DITG will be handing out holiday favorites like cut-out cookies, candy canes, and fudge.

“I think it is appropriate for students to dramatically increase their sugar intake during the holiday season,” says Alexander Fink, president of DITG. “It’s really the best way to bring friends and family together.”

There will also be several other activities for students to participate in during the walk-out, including a carol singing session in which students can walk to various academic buildings singing holiday songs.

“I am really excited for the carol singing session,” says student Melissa Kuhlman. “Everyone knows that the best way to spread cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

Though many students seem to be happily gearing up for the upcoming walk-out, University officials are not nearly as pleased. University President Bob Bruininks issued a follow-up statement on Tuesday, stating that final exams will not be canceled.

“This time of the year is for anxiety and all-night studying, not for things like presents, treats, or worst of all holiday cheer,” Bruininks says.

On a side note, Bruininks was hospitalized later that day because his heart was found to be two sizes too small.

Despite disagreements between students and University officials, both RAU and DITG are confident that the student body will finally say no to final exams and yes to some much needed holiday cheer.