Dead Week was started about 40 years ago by the Government of the Student Body. It was intended to discourage student organizations from holding meetings or scheduling events the week before finals.

Cassidy Heaton, freshman in pre-mechanical engineering, said although she did not expect there to be any activities during Dead Week, she had not realized there would be so many projects, papers and tests given during Dead Week.

Edwin Lewis, associate provost, said Dead Week never has had a bearing on the academic work week, even though students tend to assume otherwise.

“The only policy we have is that finals are not to be given during Dead Week, except for in labs, and that is only because there is no other appropriate time for them,” Lewis said.

Helen Jensen, professor of economics, said she does not give tests or require assignments during Dead Week, but it is not intentional.

“That is just how things end up working out,” Jensen said.

However, students in the residence halls get a taste of the “dead” part of the expression.

Kim Araya, hall director of Oak-Elm Hall, said residence halls are restricted with quiet hours for all but 30 minutes a day, starting at 11 p.m. on the Sunday night preceding Dead Week.

Resident assistants can write up students who do not adhere to the policy, but Araya said she has not had many problems with students violating the rules.

“Besides giving the residents a chance to study in peace, it also gives them a chance to wind down for the end of the semester,” Araya said.

From 10 to 10:30 p.m. each night, residents are given a “rowdy half-hour” to relieve the stress of the day.

During the rowdy 30 minutes, many residence hall staff members plan activities or provide treats for their residents.