Hundreds plan to remain on campus over upcoming break

While many consider Thanksgiving a time to spend with family, this option is not always available for students who either live far away or are unable to afford to travel home.

Though no estimate exists for the entire Penn campus, Hamilton College House Dean Tabitha Dell'Angelo said she believes that approximately one-third of Hamilton's 800 residents stay in the dorm during Thanksgiving break.

For those who do choose to remain on campus, many options exist to ensure that all have the opportunity to celebrate the holiday, including dinner at a college house, a friend's residence or even a faculty member's home.

Patricia Williams, dean of DuBois College House, said that her college house typically has 20 students and graduate associates who stay on campus for break.

"Since I cook a large dinner for my own children and grandchildren, during my three years at DuBois, I have always invited students to join my family and me for dinner, desserts and board games afterwards," Williams said. "I usually get five or six who accept my offer [and] this year I'm hoping there will be more."

Others -- such as Engineering freshman Michael Kennedy -- plan to join in on celebrations with their friends' families.

"I am staying on campus mainly because I don't want to fly back home," Kennedy said. "It is a long flight. ... If the break were longer, I would go home, but since it is only four days, there is not much time for travel."

While Kennedy is making an effort to finalize his Turkey Day plans, he said he will miss spending time with his family during the holiday.

"I have been invited to some other students' family dinners, so that is where I will probably end up," Kennedy said. He plans on returning home for winter break, however, when he has enough time to travel.

College junior Chris Bryant has also decided to stay on campus this Thanksgiving, in part to take advantage of the deserted campus.

He says if he did go home, he "would never be able to study anything."

"I like the idea of just having some peace and quiet around Penn," Bryant said.

Still, this is not the only reason for Bryant's decision.

"I can't afford to fly home for both Thanksgiving and winter break, and I'd rather go home for the latter," he said.

As a recent transfer student from Texas Tech University, Bryant noted that this will be the first year he will be away from his family on Thanksgiving, unlike previous years when he had his car at school and often drove home to Houston for holiday weekends.

For those like Bryant who still have not decided where they will eat dinner on Thursday, the College House System provides numerous opportunities to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

At Gregory College House, graduate associates "are cooking a traditional Thanksgiving dinner Thursday evening for any who don't have other plans," according to House Dean Christopher Donovan, who noted that approximately 20 students have attended in the past.

"I imagine we might also have some movie nights or similarly low-key events over break if there is interest," Donovan added.

Students can also gather in Hamilton to celebrate the holiday. Residents and staff will provide a potluck meal of fresh pies and other goodies.

"This year, we are getting some food from Freshgrocer and making some homemade dishes. ... Generally, about 30 [people] show up to eat," Dell'Angelo said. Campus holiday Thanksgiving options at Penn include: Dining with deans: Many, like DuBois College House Dean Patricia Williams, invite students to join them for dinner. Potluck Dinners: Dorms, including Harrison College House, are hosting collective meals. Club Events: Groups like the Christian Association are hosting their own celebrations.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.