This week has been “Dead Week.” This term supposedly originated because it is strictly verboten for an instructor to make any additional assignments. After all, next week has been set aside for final exams and, certainly, that time period is one to be reckoned with. The thinking seems to be that the student has enough facing him already without anything else being added.
The baffling thing about referring to this week as “dead” is that it must be the most active and alive week of the entire semester. Term papers are being finalized, makeup tests are being taken, field projects are due — the list is endless. In short, if it doesn’t get done this week, the complications are compounded.
A more appropriate tag could be put to this week—one that would more accurately reflect just what all is going on. But, then again, maybe “dead” is good enough. Maybe it was meant to reflect the condition of students and faculty by the time this week is finished.