Issue date: 11/26/08 Section: NEWS

Residents of Mozart Square watch a football game as they celebrate Thanksgiving a week early. Catering was provided by NT cafeterias.

As the fall semester draws to a close, many students are preparing to leave for the Thanksgiving break.

Those who cannot, however, have another option: stay on campus.

Unlike the university's winter break rules, NT's Thanksgiving policy allows students to stay in their dorm rooms while the rest of the university closes down.

For some students, the distance and expense to return home makes staying put a more viable option. English freshman Francesca Martinez faces a four-hour trip home but has another reason to stay in her Honors Hall suite.

"I'm staying here because I'm trying to go to Japan next summer, and I want to save money for the trip," she said.

Although classes are not officially canceled today, some campus operations will shut down early for the break. Students who stay will have to deal with temporary difficulties, such as the dining halls closing early at 2:30 p.m. They will resume regular operating hours on Dec. 1, when students begin the last two weeks of classes for the semester.

Some dorm staff members from each hall will remain to deal with any emergencies, Honors Hall Director Bill Rose said.

Students who wish to stay must sign up for each day that they plan to be in the dorm to have continued access after all the exterior doors lock.

"We have about 10 to 15 people on our list," Rose said. Some resident assistants may stay, though "they typically mirror residents for the most part," he said.

Students may also contact Kerr Hall's front desk, which will be open all day in case of emergencies.

For those who want to participate in Thanksgiving celebrations, there are several options on campus and around Denton. Honors students can attend a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by visiting scholar Mary Lamb and interact with faculty members who are staying, as well.

Some student groups such as animé club Mu Epsilon Kappawill have their own events as well.

"I'm going to go to Kappa house for Meks-giving," Martinez said. "I think we're having some traditional food. It just depends on what people bring. I'm taking a pumpkin pie."

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