It’s Spring Break week at Davidson and the campus is not surprisingly mostly empty of students. Like other Davidson traditions, this one has morphed over the years. In 1920s through the 1950s, Spring Recess was usually Thursday to Wednesdays chopping up the weeks and allowing for only one weekend. In1926, the timing of the break allowed it to merge into Easter and a few more days away from campus.
February 4, 1926 Davidsonian article on spring holidays
Where did students go?
April 10, 1935 Davidsonian article on student’s choices for spring break.
In 1935, the Davidsonian reported that “Throwing down their books at the stroke of the gong on Thursday at 12:30, nearly 600 students began their migration. Transportation of every conceivable variety (airplanes and roller skates excepted) was pressed into use.” Most student “journeyed homeward” which included trips to Boston and Miami. One student, Ab Price set a new hitch hiking record getting from Davidson to Philadelphia in 22 hours.
Spring Recess was a mixed blessing in 1941 — Seniors got access to cars but everyone got their grades.
March 27, 1941 announcing new car rules
March 27, 1941 announcing grade notices
The 1960s brought longer breaks. The faculty voted to make the 1962-63 spring break 8 days and allowed for it to include 2 weekends. This decision moving commencement back a week – into June.
An editorial in 1966 reflected on the end of break and the return to campus noting that although the break allows for plenty of time to catch up on work, it also “opened the season of procrastination.” The philosophic editor rambled on about the difficult choices of Florida or Nassau, guilt induced by not studying enough and whether or not a 3 week vacation would allow for both fun and work.
April 8, 1966 editorial
By 1977, fewer students were heading home and more students were heading to beaches or ski slopes.
Planning ahead, the January 28, 1977 issue of the Davidsonian gave space to spring break suggestions.
The suggestions included Daytona Beach which offered sun, sand, surf and Northern girls (who apparently are more willing to buy drinks for young men); Vermont which offered more snow that year than Colorado; Philadelphia for walking tours and food; and the Outer Banks for camping and warm welcomes from the locals.
A spring break tour for the baseball team brought something different:
A 9 game tour gave the baseball team a chance to truly warm up for the season.
The focus in 1978 was a little more practical as the college offered chances to work in public relations, community development, environmental projects and service projects.
1978 Spring break learning and service options
By 1988, students were doing more serious travel and service projects as documented by the student paper.
March 11, 1988 – students traveling to Russia
and doing service work
and going on tour with a choir.
Where did you spend your breaks?
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