Students take a study break at Midnight Breakfast

There were no signs of stress on students' faces as they filled their plates with churros, eggs and breakfast burritos while socializing with friends at Midnight Breakfast in the Randall Dining Commons Monday night.

The late-night breakfast is hosted every semester the Monday of finals week, but this was the first time University Program Board (UPB) put on the event. Dance teams, Team Shaka, Floor 13 and Toxique, performed twice at the event for their cheering peers.

Students such as senior Kelly Lonergan, who has attended the event since her freshman year, said students are willing to take a break from studying and term papers to go to Midnight Breakfast because the free food, performances and company of friends help to alleviate stress.

"At first it may feel like more pressure to make the decision to go because you are putting off writing another paragraph of your paper, but it is worth it with friends," Lonergan said. "Everyone is doing it and that is comforting."

Jerry Price, vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students, said the environment alone invites students to enjoy and stay a little longer.

"The event is a chance for the university to say good luck on finals and we are behind you," Price said. "More importantly it is one of the last times before the end of the semester when students can gather together to socialize and take their minds off the pressure of school."

Sophomore Aaron Gerston said he came to the event this year because his girlfriend wanted to see her friend dance.

"It is a quick and easy distraction from studying. Who doesn't want to see performances and get free food," he said. "I'd probably start to get anxious though if I stayed too long."

Several changes were made to the event this year. Menu items differed, a theme was put in place and a portion of the dining hall was blocked off strictly for the performances.

"I love the churros this year, but everyone's wondering where the chocolate fountain went," said sophomore Beri Dwyer. "That was the best part last semester."

Between 1,100 students and 1,300 students show up each semester, Price said.

"This semester the cold and rain may have kept them away, but I am regularly told by students that this is their favorite event," he said.