Optional Winter Activities Week

Dean of Harvard College Evelynn M. Hammonds announced on Monday that Harvard will have “Optional Winter Activities Week,” which will run from Jan. 16 to the 23.

During this week, students can opt to return to campus and participate in student-initiated activities.

While we love the fact that we have the option to return a week earlier this year, we’re not so sure how we feel about the program’s less than creative name.

Perhaps “Optional Winter Activities Week” should be renamed “Week for Kids Who Don't Like Vacation” or “Week When All Your Friends Have Gone Back to School and You Have Nothing to Do.” Perhaps this is the week for Math 55 students to finally emerge from Lamont Library and have some fun around campus. Or maybe it it’s a chance for undergraduates to flee their sunny Florida homes and return to their frigid dorm rooms.

In all seriousness, if you’re interested in participating in or organizing activities during this week without classes, you can go to Harvard’s new winter break website.

The site provides information about the entire January Term and the shorter Optional Winter Activities Week. At the moment though, some information is lacking. There isn't anything about the dining hours or the gym hours during the break.

Photo courtesy of Tono Aguilar/The Harvard Crimson.