Two years ago, January@Brown, the Web 2.0-inspired name given to Brown’s 10-day not-for-credit winter academic term, was born—probably from some ill-conceived notion that students love their university so much that they simply cannot get enough of it during the other eleven months.

As it turns out, however, 99.9 percent of the students do not want to take courses during their winter break, because only 30 signed up last year, and as a result, 2009’s is now in jeopardy.

Who could’ve foreseen this shocking turn of events???

The Brown Daily Herald explains:

The program is entering the last of three years for which the University approved a trial run. In past years, students took one class that met daily, and went on group outings organized by the program. January@Brown's organizers had originally hoped the program would gain momentum and eventually become a for-credit winter term similar to the kind offered by many small, liberal arts colleges - although some had suggested the program would work even without academic credit.

Why would anyone—of sound mind and judgment—take courses during their vacation for absolutely no reason? [Hint: They wouldn’t.]

Well, maybe they would if the university in question was located near a beach, but this is Brown we’re talking about here.

Providence isn’t exactly a luxury resort.