The University Student Advisory Board decided last night to send a letter to administrators requesting more time off from classes on Martin Luther King Day.

"I think it gives people more opportunities to attend activities," said International Student Council President Abbas Aminmansour. "By the University emphasizing the day, the University is encouraging people to participate."

Currently, classes are cancelled at 3:30 p.m., but many students have to miss some of their classes to attend all of the activities.

USAB Vice President Ken Martin said the letter will be sent to Grace Hampton, the University Vice Provost and head of the Martin Luther King Day planning committee, and University President Bryce Jordan.

Martin said the letter will probably suggest canceling classes at 1 p.m., but it is most important that students be able to attend all activities.

Most USAB members were in favor of ending classes earlier on the holiday.

"It's positive," said Black Caucus President Walter Mosley. "I think this is the way it should be. Once people see the benefits of a day off, they'll understand why it is important to get this day off."

In other business, Jordan spoke to USAB members in a closed portion of the meeting about a variety of topics that members were concerned about.

"I talked about the Big 10. I talked about how the presidential search was going, in a general sense, and pointed out that I wasn't involved with the search and I talked about the search for a provost," Jordan said.

USAB President Judy Falce said Jordan stressed most people are excited about the Big 10 and that there have been consultations with athletic directors.

Jordan said the presidential search is going well and he thinks there may be a new University president sooner than expected because of the large number of qualified candidates. He added he has not been involved with the search because he feels it is inappropriate, Martin said.

Martin said Jordan announced that a temporary provost will probably be chosen by late March or early April. Jordan also said the provost will most likely be someone internal who will serve until August 1991 at the latest.

Most USAB members said the session was very informative.

"He touched on about everything that was on most people's minds," Falce said. "When we ask him about things, it makes him more aware of our concerns. He always takes our concerns seriously."