If there were rankings for the worst fall-semester college calendars, Tulane University would be up there. Hey, we’re finally ascending the rankings in something!  

At a school where 50% of the student population comes from the Northeast, the West Coast and the Midwest – where universities start later – Tulane classes begin in early August. Even compared to local universities like Louisiana State University, Tulane’s start time stands out. The early start tries to mitigate the risk of hurricanes interfering with the academic calendar – a practice followed by most of New Orleans. The earlier start provides extra time to catch up with missed academics if a hurricane strikes.   

However, since hurricane season lasts from June to December, there is no way to dodge hurricanes completely. No matter when classes begin, much like the popular television show “Storm Chasers,” the university will end up sending its students straight into deadly storms.  

Given that hurricanes are only becoming worse, Tulane will have to adopt other anti-hurricane strategies anyway. So, why not develop them now and give us a more regular schedule? 

The schedule is made ever sillier by Family Weekend held a week before Thanksgiving and fall break dropped on a random weekend in October. Tulane’s fall break this year ran from Oct. 3-6. This year, the break took place during the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashana, and since Tulane is 41.7% Jewish identifying, one could think this was on purpose. However, it was merely a coincidence. Last year, Rosh Hashana fell in September and fall break in early October.  

To solve the early start time and fall break, I propose that Tulane assign a weeklong, semi-cancellable fall break in the third week of October. The break would be five days instead of two, with the first three days being malleable. If a hurricane hit New Orleans prior to the break, interfering with academics, classes would continue. But, if there were no such hurricane, then classes would be canceled.  

This new plan would allow Tulane to abolish its extra-early start, as unlike the current schedule, the new schedule would have a built-in hurricane buffer time. Tulane staff and students could use the extra three days for community service projects, academic recoveries or other college pastimes. 

Also, the change would allow Tulane staff and students to move their flights a few days earlier and travel home for longer because, nowadays, flyers can often change their flights without fees or at a low charge. 

Regarding Family Weekend, just move it earlier. People want to see their families before late November.