Job Discussion Forums

[chryanvii]

It seems that my university is a little strict in regards to their holidays. We were given Monday off, but had to "make up" for it by working on Saturday. So technically speaking, the only time we really got off was the holiday itself. As a result, many students could not go home to see their families.

In comparison, my friend works for a middle school, and was given off until next Friday.

I want to know if other universities in China have this similar policy, as it seems a little sparse. I think we might have a similar situation for the May Day holiday.

What's the situation like at your university?

[YankeeDoodleDandy]

At my university in Xian, we had to make up Monday's class on Saturday. So I have Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off. I would imagine, that we will have to make up the holidays for May Day and then the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival.

[snacksturbo]

This is what they do in my University as well. A few years ago the holiday schedule was much better. Then they split it all up, so no more May week off. I would much rather just have the Saturday off. It seems really...for lack of a better word...retarded. Why not just make the Monday a holiday as well. Oh my goodness, the students will miss a day of classes. Like it makes a difference.

Want to know what I really hate, this irritates me beyond belief. They have a standing rule about attendance. If the student misses more than 1/3 of the classes or homework assignments, then they are barred from taking the final. However, this never happens. What happens is, they are allowed to ask for leave, and the leave is ALWAYS granted. This is whether I say it is ok or not. Then they take their exam, and fail it. Yet, are allowed to take it again and again until someone just passes them. Make it easier for everyone and just abolish the rule. Either let them pass, or make them do what we have to do. Pay for and take the class again.

[cormac]

[flyingscotsman]

My school did the Sat class thing but it didn't make a lot of sense - I had one class and all the students spilt during the break.

[Guerciotti]

Same here. We made up the Monday classes on Saturday, and resume the regular schedule on Wednesday. I allegedly have another job where I work extra days this week, so I end up with only Tuesday off.
But overall, it is one extra day off, and the Saturday make up day makes for three consecutive days off, so I really can't complain.

[Little Tiger]

Private school, 5 days off no make ups

[Mister Al]

Saturday was a working day for Monday but I just cancelled my class as too many students were going away. So finished Thursday at noon and back on Wednesday.

[LarssonCrew]

I get monday/tuesday/wednesday. Sat was monday's classes, but I'm free monday, so I get mon/tues/weds free.

On e thing that drove me mad was that I had to investigate and ask about days myself. If I had waitedI'm sure on Saturday morning I would have had a knock on my door from the admin staff telling me that was a teaching day! Anyone else get that?[I'm guessing so!]

[Guerciotti]

Yes, I also get zero information from admin. Not quite zero information, but they tell me things when they think about it. This combined with the fact that admin does not decide the respective make up schedules until less than a week before for the fact makes me crazy. And people wonder why I don't travel. I can't plan anything.
I found out last semester that the best source is the students. Just ask your students.

[Non Sequitur]

'Oh my goodness, the students will miss a day of classes. Like it makes a difference'.
As in the West, publicly funded colleges are required to be 'open for instruction' on a certain number of half days. This will differ between tertiary and secondary schools - again as in the West.
Working on a weekend to give 3 or 4 days break works best in provincial colleges because the majority of students live closer. Students attending national schools don't see as much benefit.
Late notice of the arrangements is endemic as is fraying around the edges ie students skipping the last class or two on the eve of the holiday to get an earlier bus. The latter is again, a bit like the West.

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

hmm when I know a holiday is coming up, I don't wait for someone to tell me (or not tell me) when the holiday and any makeup classes will be. I ask someone one or two weeks beforehand and I get an answer. Making a query works wonders. Yet I know people who wait every holiday for info and when they get it at the last minute they complain. Open skull, insert brain here, ask question. Voila

[Guerciotti]

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

it isnt hard to figure out. ask one person. ask two. ask three. extrapolate.

[the_otter]

I get Monday and Tuesday off, but had to teach Monday's classes on Saturday. At a guess, come the May Day holiday, I'll teach Tuesday's classes on a Saturday, so that no one misses a lesson.

I don't teach on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Consequently, I have five days off.