7-week student break could take a toll on businesses in Rexburg

REXBURG, Idaho (AP) — This eastern Idaho city's student-dependent economy could face turbulence starting this month when many leave town for a seven-week break — the longest in more than 30 years — because of a new schedule planned by Brigham Young University-Idaho.

The university, run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offers classes virtually year-round to accommodate more than 12,000 students annually. It planned the long break early last year when it reconstructed its calendar year into three 14-week semesters instead of three 16-week semesters.

The new schedule is meant to give teachers more time off, but the resulting 40-day break this summer could hurt local restaurants and other businesses in this city of 26,600.

More than 8,700 students were enrolled in the college's summer semester, and if many of them leave during the break that starts July 19, it could hurt businesses that rely on them, local officials said.

"This is going to be a real wait-and-see summer," said Donna Benfield, executive director of the Rexburg Chamber of Commerce.

Some businesses have already been preparing for a possible student exodus.

For instance, last December, 75 percent of the staff at EZ-NetTools, a Web site designer based in Rexburg, were BYU-Idaho students. When several left town during the two-week Christmas break, however, it was a harbinger of possible disruptions that could be caused by this summer's changes: There were staffing shortages and delays in customer service.

As a result, Joseph West, the company's head of technology and finance, started hiring nonstudent employees.

"Students are a blessing and a curse," West said. "They are always coming and going."

Garth Hall, vice president of student services and activities for the university, believes businesses have benefited from the university's increasing enrollment that came with its switch six years ago from a two-year junior college to a four-year school — despite this summer's impending hiccup.

"We have to look at the big picture to realize that economically we've (Rexburg) been blessed," Hall said.

In particular, local fast-food chains and hotels rely on the college's student body to man fryers, clean dishes or spruce up guest rooms. About 25 percent of the city's work force consists of students, said Clair Boyle, executive director for Madison Economic Partners.

This is the longest break on record, school officials said. Previously, the longest was five weeks during the summer of 1974.

Bob Jones, the owner of an Arctic Circle franchise in Rexburg, still doesn't know what to expect.

"I have no idea what will happen," Jones said, of his student workers.

Some students are even waffling with the big question: Should they stick it out and earn some summer cash, or head home to tank up on energy for the coming semester in September.

"I can't decide whether I should stay and work or go home for the break," said junior Becki Campbell.