PHOTO: Wendy L. Zeller
The Our Lady of Victory Church Westminster Bell Choir performs during the 1999 Commemorative Bell Ringing Ceremony at Old Main lobby yesterday morning.

By CORY SHINDEL
Collegian Staff Writer

Like other federal holidays, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed with the closing of banks, post offices and government offices. Penn State, however, held classes as scheduled yesterday, unaffected by the holiday.

This difference has been a source of debate since the holiday's creation in 1983. While some people advocate in-class commemoration of King's accomplishments, others contend the holiday is worthy of a day off in King's honor.

Given the vast nature of King's dream for society, Martin Luther King Day inspires profound philosophical questions, said Thomas Poole, associate vice provost for educational equity.

"How do we best honor Dr. King? Do we take a day off to do community service or do we sleep in and go to the mall? Maybe we even have classes to honor Dr. King and talk about his vision," he said.

It is not the university's policy to cancel classes for many federal holidays, Poole said, and Martin Luther King Day is not an exception to this pattern.

"The university doesn't generally take off any federal holidays. Classes are in session on Columbus Day and President's Day, probably for that reason," Poole said.

Still, the holiday has been a subject of discussion among students, faculty and community members.

Candace Wright (senior-biobehavioral health) said King's contributions to society merit celebration and reflection. Wright said she has never attended classes on the holiday to allow for personal contemplation of King's vision.

"I feel that for someone that accomplished what King did, the holiday should be celebrated," she said. "As an African American, I feel that he has made a path for me to go to Penn State and has made my life easier because of civil rights."

Wright said many students overlook the holiday and could benefit from increased publicity of campus events and celebrations.

"I think there are a lot of activities that are already going on, I just don't think a lot of students know about them. I would bet that 85 to 95 percent of the campus did not even know that today was Martin Luther King Day," Wright said.

To help make students more aware of Martin Luther King Day, faculty members can incorporate the holiday into class material, said Christina Rambeau, manager of the news bureau of the Department of Public Information.

"Basically, over the years we have used it as a time to emphasize Dr. King's principles and to encourage service activities."

While the university's intention may be for classes to include education about Martin Luther King Jr. on the day that honors him, few students seem to receive such in-class exposure. For many Penn State students, yesterday was no different than any other Monday.

Erin Patterson (sophomore-art education) heard no mention of Martin Luther King Jr. in her classes and was not aware of the holiday. She said if there had been a publicized observance, such as the cancellation of classes, she would have been more conscious of the activities and celebrations for the holiday.

"Maybe if we had off I would've known it was Martin Luther King Day," Patterson said. "I didn't even know it was today, so I couldn't celebrate it."

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