BUFFALO, N.Y. — "Callous and cruel" is how some University at Buffalo students are describing the school's decision to get rid of spring break this year. 

And now a petition is making its way around campus.

UB officials recently decided to cancel spring break citing health-safety and academic concerns.

Students behind the change.org petition argue they have been dealing with the pandemic for a year, and are isolated, burned out and deserve a week to recharge and catch up on assignments. They want to continue Zoom sessions and push coursework and due dates back a week on the syllabus.

A UB spokesperson says the school needed to make sure the calendar met all accreditation, both federal and state education and financial aid requirements.

In a statement, they also say that "allowing for single days off during the week may have resulted in further changes to the academic calendar, for example extending the semester by a week which would interfere with clinical experiences, internships and summer classes, and would also delay degree conferrals."

The school also says they plan to have events focusing on stress-relief and wellness later this semester.