by Paula Bowker
Daily Lobo
Students and faculty who are parents might not get to spend much time with their children over spring break.
Spring break for Albuquerque Public Schools is the week of March 21, a week after UNM's.
The UNM Staff Council's Work-Life Initiative Committee has been trying to get UNM's spring break aligned with APS' so parents do not have to worry about child care, and families can spend more time together, said Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, co-chairwoman of the committee.
"We have a nontraditional student base," Mellas-Ramirez said. "Many juggle work, school and family. If the staff have not achieved balance in their lives, it is reflected in the service to students."
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She said the week of spring break calms down, so staff members could bring their kids to work if they wanted to. But as it is, the week APS students have off is hectic for staff because UNM is in session.
Ramirez said the calendars are set for APS and UNM through 2007, but the committee is trying to change that.
"We are meeting with APS on April 4 to try and get them to think about changing their calendar and then have them meet with UNM and can come to a decision," Mellas-Ramirez said.
She said staff and faculty should serve as role models to students.
"College is often the first place students begin to grapple with balance," she said. "Staff and faculty are mentors for these students, and we need to have our act together."
Not only does the commitee say staff would benefit from coinciding spring breaks, but some students can see an advantage to it as well.
UNM student Jenny Marlowe said it is a good idea for the spring breaks to align.
"I have a sister who goes to Eldorado, and we wanted to go to New York for spring break but can't because her spring break is after mine," Marlowe said.
Ramirez said students are more than welcome to join the committee.
Laura Montoya, a staff member at UNM, said spring break should not be the same for all schools in Albuquerque.
"The students are our clientele, and we should put them first," Montoya said. "The majority of the students at UNM do not have children."
Montoya said academically it makes sense to keep spring break where it is. APS plans its spring break around Easter, she said. If UNM aligned its spring break with APS, UNM's spring break would not end until April, which would give students little time to get ready for finals, Montoya said.
"I'm a parent, and as for me, it would be great to have my spring break the same as my children, but we have to put the students first," Montoya said.
The discussion about changing spring break will be further examined at the Regents Academic-Student Affairs Subcommittee meeting on Monday in the Lobo room of the SUB. Mellas-Ramirez said she expects the proposal to pass.
"I do think it will happen," she said. "Families have changed. It's time for employers to help meet demands. There is enough people out there with demands, so it will change."
The committee seeks to promote change in policy and culture and ensure employees get their issues reported to the Council Executive Committee and top administration, according to a 2004 report.
