With Martin Luther King Jr. Day falling at the end of winter break, some commemorative activities will be pushed back a week to boost participation.

Bill Mahon, university spokesman, said by giving students the day off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the university hoped the holiday wouldn't just become "an excuse for a three-day weekend."

However, event planners for this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day events said they felt that more students might turn out for the Day of Service if it were held Jan. 20.

Participation was rather low at other Day of Service events around the campus.

About 50 people showed up to participate in a scheduled march through campus to the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, where a peace service was held.

Max Staplin, chairman for overall planning, said the march and peace service were normally one of the smaller events, and that the turnout would have been better if it had not rained.

Last year, about 1,000 students participated in programs that took place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the day after. However, at that time, classes had already resumed the week before the day of service occurred.

Chris Lucas, campus events chairman, said he was satisfied with the turnout at the march.

"The fact that it's happening is more important than the turnout," he said. "I think we're finally realizing -- 38 years after his death -- how great this man was."

Erin McSweeney, campus events chairwoman, felt the event was "semi-successful."

"It's important that anyone who cares is here," she said. "I think it's good to have the day off to give people a chance to reflect."

Kofi Apraku (senior-crime, law and justice) said the holiday was a good opportunity to commemorate the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

"It's important for us to do something for us to celebrate it," he said. "It's not a day to sit at home."

Other students around campus were not as enthusiastic about the holiday as those involved in the march.

Bryan Harnish (sophomore-agricultural science) said he was not concerned with the holiday or the day's events.

"I could really care less whether or not we have it off," he said.

Other students agreed.

"I think it's a good holiday. I think it should be celebrated," Rachael Miller (junior-elementary education) said. "I don't think we should necessarily have it off."

Elizabeth Mesley (junior-history), who also agreed a holiday from classes was not necessary, said there could not be a holiday for every great American.

"I think it's great that schools recognize what he did, but I don't know that we should have the day off," she said.

This year's Day of Service is scheduled from 9 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

About 300 volunteers have signed up for the Day of Service so far, Staplin said.

That number would be on par with last year's participation, which was also about 300.