ITHACA, N.Y.--Cornell University administrators have cancelled Thanksgiving vacation because of a boiler breakdown that caused a four-day cancellation of classes last week.

Provost W. Keith Kennedy said last week that classes would meet through Thanksgiving to make up for class time lost when a heating plant breakdown last Friday forced the closure of all Cornell offices, classrooms, and dormitories.

Kennedy said cutting three days from classes, study days or examinations would not be acceptable, and that "We (Cornell) simply can't hold finals after Christmas."

The cancellation of vacation was necessary to "maintain our academic excellence," he added.

Turkeys

Electrical problems in Cornell's coal boiler forced the heating plant to switch to oil-fueled boilers. When emergency supplies of oil ran out last Tuesday, Cornell officials ordered all students to leave the campus. The university is scheduled to reopen tomorrow morning.

Although the order to vacate the dormitories caused problems for the massive number of students seeking transportation from Ithaca, University officials chartered "every bus we could get our hands on" to provide students with transportation. Greyhound Bus Lines Co. and U.S. Air established ticketing arrangements for students. The University also provided lodging for students from foreign countries and students who could not get home during the shutdown, said David Drink-water, dean of students.

Robert M. Matyas, the Cornell official responsible for facilities, said the coal boiler passed a periodic inspection prior to the breakdown. Heating plant managers and employees were not at fault, he added.

Cornell officials said they would try to make the campus as "homey" as possible.

Marty Seigmeister, Dining hall manager, said a gymnasium, site of a planned Thanksgiving feast, will be "rather charming" with some decorations. "Perhaps a couple of papier-mache turkeys will be strung from the ceiling," he added.