A reading week is not a “break”!

The SU cannot guarantee that extra readings or “optional” work (even if not essays and example sheets) will not be given throughout the week. Nor can the SU guarantee that an influx of supervisions will not occur within that week.

Even if not “official” work is set within that week, the competitive nature of Cambridge will mean that lots of us head to the library and feel the pressure to “get ahead”.

To frame a reading week as a break is simply not factual.

Cambridge already has a short term. If we had a longer term a reading week would be reasonable.

Losing the settling in and cooling off periods at the beginning and ending of term:

These days are some of the most relaxing and enjoyable days in Cambridge.

If the reading week proposal is successful, students may have to start lectures the day after they  arrive in Cambridge or leave on the day lectures end.

These relaxed days will be replaced by a week in the middle of term, which will be anything but relaxing.

These days at the start and end of term are important for tutor meetings, DOS meetings, the last  supervision of term.

The SU cannot guarantee that students – universally – will not have to pay additional rent.

Where will Freshers Week fit? The current proposal leaves no room for Freshers Week without adding an additional week at the start of term, therefore more requiring more rent.

Reading weeks have issues regarding inclusivity:

International students will find themselves with less days to buy tickets to fly home and not all of us have families who can drive to Cambridge in a small window.

It is a privilege to assume that a short window to leave Cambridge will work for everyone.

A reading week will not increase engagement in extracurricular:

Most extra-curricular is a weekly commitment, rather than a one-off, so reading week does not make engaging in this any easier.

What can be learnt in a reading week that cannot be learnt during vacations?

Long vacations give us perfect opportunity to consolidate and read around our subject. Why do we need an extra week for that?

The above case text was submitted and uploaded on 2nd March. 

The No Campaign team is led by Stelios Sycallides.

Official Campaign teams were decided by an open process in advance of the referendum, and the SU has promoted to opportunity to participate in both teams. Both campaign teams are given a budget (similar to an elections budget) to spend on promoting the referendum, and were given an opportunity to provide arguments for/against the referendum motion which are displayed above. If you want to get involved in the No campaign, please email elections@cambridgesu.co.uk and we'll put you in touch with the No campaign leadership.