Grace Knight

I am writing to urge Loyola’s leadership to bring back a time-honored campus tradition: The Window.

For those new to the Loyola community, the Window was a dedicated time period each Tuesday and Thursday during the academic year when class was not held. The time between 12:30 and 2:00 p.m. was used in a variety of ways that made our campus community stronger. Student organizations gathered to plan and build community. Faculty and staff held key meetings or collaborated. The Peace Quad came to life with fun events.

The Window was also used for rest. Whether you grabbed a nap in your dorm room or sat in the Palm Court and read a book, the Window was a guaranteed break twice in your week so you could tackle your next class project or your to-do list. It showed that the university walked the walk when it talked about cura personalis.

The Window was a unique Loyola tradition that lasted for decades. I have colleagues at other universities who sandwich meetings and gatherings in between classes and advising appointments. When I tell them about the Window, they are envious that our leadership prioritized this concept of community.

In the spring of 2023, the outgoing Provost ended the Window with no (public?) discussion with faculty or staff. The reason given: a drop in classroom space due to the demolition of Mercy Hall. While I can appreciate the challenge losing eight classrooms can bring to a university schedule, I still don’t understand why other alternatives were not explored.

We have a creative staff and faculty that has weathered devastating hurricanes and a global pandemic, all while maintaining this key Loyola custom. It was disappointing to learn via an email that the Window was going away, with no opportunity for discussion of potential solutions.

The Window was more than a time period— it was a part of Loyola’s culture. Ending it abruptly shows me that the leadership did not consider the long-term impact such a major decision would have on our community.

Some academic departments are working to schedule spring courses around the Window. But this is a piecemeal approach, and not a long term solution. It does not guarantee a dedicated block of time university-wide. If Loyola’s leadership wants to show that it values our community and culture, bringing back the Window would be a big step in the right direction.