Penn State will remain open today despite many Christian students who observe Good Friday, the day of Jesus Christ's crucifixion.

"The university is definitely very mindful of the hundreds of religious holidays by its very diverse students, faculty and staff, and we take that into consideration while planning the academic calendar," Penn State spokeswoman Karen Zitomer said. "But to ensure the highest quality of education ... some days we need to be here, and other days we don't."

Some students said they plan to miss today's classes to attend mass or travel home to be with their families for Easter.

Cassandra Leeper (senior-communication sciences and disorders) said she plans to attend one of her classes today to take an exam, and then miss the others to observe Good Friday.

"I definitely think classes should be canceled out of respect for the people who celebrate," she said.

Individual faculty members have the power to decide whether to accept student absences, even for religious reasons, University Faculty Senate Chair Kim Steiner said.

"My experience is that many faculty members do privately allow students with advance notice to attend church services, provided they make up any work that they miss," campus minister Father David Griffin said. "Faculty members I've talked with have been very cooperative and understanding."

Griffin added that although students' faith should be respected, it is up to the administration to decide what religious holidays should warrant the cancellation of classes. "Attending a public university does have its guidelines," he said. "I would not expect the university to declare or give a day off for religious reason unless discussed by all parts of the administration."

Jeff Buterbaugh, vice president of the Christian Student Fellowship, said although Good Friday and Easter can be celebrated "anywhere, anytime," a day off from classes could help a lot of Christian students.

"Not having the day off prevents a lot of people from spending this important holiday with their family," he said.

Some students who do not celebrate the holiday feel the university should stay open.

"I'm Jewish; I don't celebrate it," Jessica Dolim (freshman-premedicine) said. "It's not a big deal to me. But I understand why some people do want to go home."

She added that if the administration canceled classes on Good Friday, it would also have to cancel classes on all religious holidays.

Sam Richards, senior lecturer in sociology, said he only anticipates about half of his students will attend his 2:30 p.m. class.

Richards said students don't need to worry about submitting absences. "I don't take attendance," he said.