By Alexa Low

With Thanksgiving a little over a week away, students are beginning to prepare their plans for the holiday break.

This year, Quincy University will close for an entire week for Thanksgiving break from November 19 to November 23. Having a week off gives more students the opportunity to go home.

QU student from Colorado, Kay Bettendorf, is able to go home because of the longer break.

“I didn’t go home last year, I went to visit other family in Wisconsin. Then with the longer break this year I’m actually able to go home to Colorado this year,” Bettendorf said.

Many students are taking their time off and going home while others will still be on campus.

There are many different types of family traditions surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday. Some students go on vacation rather than a visit to a family members house. Some students surround the entire break on Black Friday shopping.

Student Dylan Christiansen will be going to Las Vegas this Thanksgiving break instead of his usual family tradition of going to the Ameristar Casino buffet in St. Louis.

“This year I will be going to Vegas with my grandparents and my father since I recently turned 21. It will be very different from our usual Thanksgivings, but I am excited for all the things we will be able to do in Vegas,” Christiansen explained.

QU is home to many sports teams, some of which are currently in season and must stay on campus for practice. QU is also home to many students who live too far away from home to visit for just one week.

For those who will stay in Quincy, Illinois for the holiday break there are several activities to do around the city.

On the morning of Thanksgiving, the Quincy Family YMCA will be hosting its annual Turkey Run. Participants have the option of walking 1 mile or a 5K, running a 5K or 10K and for those who don’t like the cold they can stay inside and swim.

The Quincy Salvation Army is serving a free Thanksgiving Dinner on November 22 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army Kroc Center. The community is invited, but more importantly they are looking for volunteers and asking for desserts to be donated in disposable containers.

For those who like to start celebrating Christmas as soon as Thanksgiving is over, Light the Park will be held at Washington Park on November 24. Buddy the Elf will be turning on all the lights throughout the park at 6 p.m. Free hot chocolate, cookies and photo opportunities will be available.

To others, this will be their first time celebrating Thanksgiving.

Student Ella Gobald came to QU from Perth, Australia and will be celebrating with her some of her teammates from the Women’s Basketball Team.

“I’m excited to try the American food and see what the hype is about turkey and stuffing. I am curious to compare how Thanksgiving is celebrated in comparison to Christmas because back home at Christmas we feast like Thanksgiving,” Gobald said.

Whether students are staying on campus for break or going home, they may have some tasks to complete before leaving.

Students who will be traveling home without a car can make arrangements for the shuttle to take them to the train station or airport on Friday, November 16 and pick them up on Sunday, November 25.

QU Residence Life sent out an email addressing how to inform the school if you are staying on campus.

Students must fill out a Google Forms document with their name, building they live in and room number. They must then select the days that they will be living in their space over break.

For those leaving campus for the long break, Residence Life asks they take certain steps before departing.

They ask that students

• Close and lock windows. Close blinds. Turn off all lights.
• Set thermostats to 72 degrees.
• Remove all trash. All food items should be sealed and stored. All dishes as well should be cleaned and stored.
• Close closet doors and lock the room door on the way out.

Residence Hall employees will be checking rooms over break looking for any spaces that are found to be creating health or safety hazards due to cleanliness or damage.

The prohibited item list and other policies can be found in the Student Handbook.

On November 14th, the cafeteria will be hosting a Friendsgiving from 5-7:30 p.m. for all meal plan students. Over break the cafe will close starting at 7:30 p.m on November 16th and will be reopening on Sunday, November 25 at 5 p.m.