The University of Michigan's got it. The University of Wisconsin, too. Ohio State also recognizes it.

In fact, Penn State is one of just two Big Ten schools that does not recognize Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day by canceling classes, said Thomas Poole, associate vice provost for educational equity.

In the past, Penn State has never canceled classes on the holiday. Many professors believe if the university canceled classes, students would not use the time off to honor MLK Day.

"The vast majority of students will make it a three-day holiday. I think the majority of professors feel as I do," Sam Richards, senior lecturer in sociology, said. "I don't see the point."

There is no proof that canceling classes will have a positive or negative effect on King events and programs," he added.

Giovanna Genard, Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity (CORED) chair, said the commission is currently exploring additional ways to commemorate MLK Day, including canceling classes. CORED began meeting with administration in early November.

"One of the options we are exploring involves a recommendation to cancel classes to allow students to observe this day in their local communities or at the university," Genard said in an e-mail message.

"The commission is planning on making a formal recommendation to [Penn State] President [Graham] Spanier this spring," she added.

Ablan said CORED has already proposed the issue of canceling classes.

"We've brought up the issue to various administrators," he said. "It'll be debated on for a while."

Poole said he has been discussing different possibilities with CORED, and canceling classes or a compressed schedule is "something to consider."

The next CORED meeting to further discuss the issue will be Tuesday.

Some officials believe there are benefits to holding classes on MLK Day.

"Class time gives them the opportunity to talk about Dr. King," Poole said.

Mahmoud Ablan, student issues co-chair, said he believes Penn State holds classes because it is conventional.

"Penn State is just very traditional and doesn't want to take extra days off," Ablan said.

"A lot of people would argue that we don't take off for other national holidays, like President's Day or Veterans Day," he said.

Northwestern University is the only other school in the Big Ten that does not cancel classes. However, Northwestern uses a quarterly schedule, Poole said.

Some students had conflicting feelings about whether the university should cancel classes.

"Penn State tries to act like it's so diverse, but when a holiday like that comes up, they don't recognize it," Andrew Kittle (junior-mechanical engineering) said, adding that he doubts students would participate in MLK Day activities if they had the day off. "I do see their point how people would skip out on what's going on," he said.

Beverly Carter (sophomore-elementary education) said she would participate in activities to honor the holiday if classes were canceled. "It is the only national holiday for African-Americans," she said. "It's my culture."

Ablan said if classes were canceled, formal education could still take place in the form of ANGEL course management system, take-home assignments and online classrooms, as well as becoming involved in MLK Day activities. "We know that [King] taught togetherness and learning from one another and that's the true meaning of education," he said.