Kansas State University

From Provost Mendez: Announcing fall 2024 Wildcat Pause Day

Submitted by Jesse Perez Mendez

Dear Colleagues,

One of the many things I appreciate about Kansas State University is its commitment to well-being and success for students, faculty and staff. This is a central tenet in our Next-Gen K-State strategic plan, and several initiatives are helping us move toward this goal, including activities related to the university's Health-Promoting University designation and our K-State Student Success Playbook.

In addition to these continual efforts, I am excited to announce the three-year pilot of a fall semester Wildcat Pause Day, a one-day pause in instruction for students across the university to provide a break for physical, emotional and mental well-being. K-State's inaugural Wildcat Pause Day will be Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in concert with World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated on Oct. 10. 

As you are aware, Kansas State University has a weeklong fall break during the third week of November. Unlike the weeklong spring break, which typically breaks up the spring semester into two eight-week sessions, the November fall break comes at the end of the semester, often with one week of instruction and a prep week prior to final examinations. The stretch from early September (Labor Day) to the end of November without a break has been cited as a negative stressor for student success, especially around the issue of mental health and well-being.

Over the last two academic years, a series of studies and an SGA resolution called for an additional instruction-free day. In May 2024, the Faculty Senate passed a resolution that supported a three-year pilot of a Wildcat Pause Day on a day selected by the provost, with a proviso that, among other things, we collect data on the efficacy of such a day.

This is the path we have taken. We will stop all instruction, in all modalities, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, and no assignments will be due that day. I encourage offices across our campuses to provide programming or suggestions for well-being activities for our students.

Please note that during the inaugural year — fall 2024 — the College of Veterinary Medicine will be exempted from Wildcat Pause Day due to its own set of pause days already factored into their instructional calendar. Vet Med will align with the Wildcat Pause Day in subsequent pilot years.

As we begin next year to assess the impact of a fall semester instruction-free day, there will be additional conversations about approaches for a corresponding pause day for all employees — faculty, staff and student workers. I look forward to further dialogue in the coming year as we continue to work together as a university to prioritize a culture of well-being for our students and employees as a health-promoting university.

Thank you for all you do to make K-State an exceptional place of learning and growth.

Go 'Cats!

Jesse Perez Mendez
Provost and executive vice president