I am not one to complain about getting a day off from classes.

But I now understand why the university's administration is so reluctant to cancel classes on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I attended Nikki Giovanni's speech and was quite disappointed in the turnout, and even more so once I realized that the first three rows were comprised of children from a New York academy and the choir.

Of all the activities on Monday, Giovanni's speech was arguably the most significant event on campus, yet students failed to attend.

I see no difference between canceling classes at particular hours so students can attend ceremonies through out the day and having no classes to interfere with attending Giovanni's speech at night.

In addition, I also want to criticize The Daily Collegian for overestimating the attendance at the speech (500 according to the reporter). Just as with Teresa Heinz-Kerry's visit in the fall, The Daily Collegian once again exaggerated the numbers and diminished the unacceptable attendance.