To help promote service activities on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, members of the Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity have been petitioning the university to give Penn State students the day off from classes.

Organizers have said that they feel student participation in service activities on the holiday would increase if the university canceled classes. Although that logic is understandable, it will not happen the way organizers of the activities anticipate.

Of course those interested in service activities and the MLK holiday would appreciate not having to miss classes, but the vast majority of students would not care as much about attending MLK Day activities as they would about having a day to go home and relax. This is what the university has said -- specifically Terrell Jones, who is the vice provost of educational equity -- students will merely take a long weekend rather than attend MLK Day activities.

This isn't an issue of sensitivity or respect for Martin Luther King, but an issue of encouraging students to attend the events. Instead, maybe the commission could try to discuss more feasible alternatives with university officials and MLK Day organizers.

Professors should encourage students to participate in service activities, and be understanding of those who miss class to participate -- university policy states that students who choose to participate in activities can be excused from class. We do need to encourage people to learn about King's message on civil rights, especially with current undertones of the election, but giving students the day off is not the way to do this.

Students who still hesitate to miss class currently have opportunities at night to help around the community, and organizers of some events, including the Undergraduate Student Government's Day of Service, should consider having extra night activities and activities during the weekend before MLK Day, instead of on Monday. By doing that, interested students can participate and not worry about weekday time constraints.

Many have argued that other schools do not have classes on Martin Luther King Day, and that government offices are closed to celebrate the holiday. But Penn State does not have to be like every other school -- some students at other universities might take part in commemorative activities, but many treat it as a vacation.

Yes, MLK Day is an important day and students should be free to participate in whatever service activities they want, but students who don't care should not get a day off. People who care will keep doing what they do, and will find ways to participate in service activities no matter what.