The holidays are times that people normally spend with family and friends, making memories and keeping traditions alive.

Unless, however, they are forced to stay at school.

Oakland University closes the day before Thanksgiving, but there’s a catch. It closes at 10 p.m.

“OU should be more specific about when classes are canceled,” said senior Elaine Alliston. “I booked a flight to Georgia to visit my family because Oakland’s website said classes were canceled on the 26^th. However, I found out later that this only meant classes after 10 p.m.”

The day before Thanksgiving is usually filled with activity. Whether it’s helping prepare the turkey, decorating the house, baking one’s favorite desserts or hopping on a plane and jetting off to another state, this day can be hectic.

“Having classes the day before the holiday affects me because I’m a parent and I’m unable to prepare meals the day before,” junior Yosen McWilliams said.

Students who are traveling home or need that day for holiday preparations are left inconvenienced if they have classes that day.

“I don’t travel anywhere for the holiday,” student Chris Johnston said. “However, for those students who live on campus and want to travel home for Thanksgiving, I can see how that may be a big issue.”

Other universities have decided to close classes much earlier Wednesday, Nov. 26, than Oakland. Colleges such as Central Michigan University have canceled their classes after 5 p.m., and Western Michigan University has canceled classes after 12 p.m.

Others, such as Wayne State University and Eastern Michigan University, will completely close their campus that day.

“My family has game night every Wednesday the day before Thanksgiving,” said freshman Aspen Grezeszak. “Having classes on Wednesday forces me to miss out on time spent with my family and miss out on traditions. This is because I won’t arrive home until Thursday morning, since I live two hours away from my hometown.”

For Oakland students, they will just have to make do with the time they do have.