I layout dissertations, consisting of many chapters. Each chapter is made a
section, so I (among other things) am able to make footnotes begin with 1 in
every chapter. Last page of the former chapter may filled with running text
and say 10 footnotes, WITHOUT section. Footnotes at end of page, as should be.

As soon as I make a section at the end of the chapter, last page is divided
into 2 pages, with the running text split - at top of both pages - and
footnotes split on both pages.

The first of these 2 last pages... have footnotes directly under running
text, then lots of space. Almost the same thing with the last of these 2
pages, except the space is both above and under the footnotes.

Why does the "section divider" need so much space?