Penn to give day for MLK

Starting next year, Penn will observe MLK Day as a University holiday. Mark your calendars. University President Judith Rodin announced yesterday that Penn will officially observe Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday starting next January. To celebrate the legacy of the slain civil rights leader, all classes will be canceled for students and faculty and staff will be given the day off. The holiday is observed on the third Monday of January, which next year falls on January 15. The change means that the spring 2001 semester will begin on Tuesday, January 16. "Many members of our University community have strongly felt that Penn could not fully pay its respect to Dr. King's memory and legacy as long as it failed to observe his birthday as a holiday," Rodin said in a statement. "I hope this will encourage the creation and expansion of more events and enkindle even greater participation from all of us." While they were pleased with Rodin's announcement, some members of the Penn community said the University was slow to act. "I am very grateful. It has been a long time coming," said A-3 Assembly Chairwoman Debra Smiley-Koita. "The African-American community has asked for this day off for many years." Peer institutions like Harvard, Columbia and Brown universities remained closed for the day this year. Rodin had initially proposed that Penn observe the holiday this year, on the condition that it had the approval of the Council of Deans. Over the past few months, University administrators discussed her recommendation and unanimously agreed to add the holiday to Penn's academic calendar. The decision means that Penn will lose one teaching day during the spring semester. It remains to be determined how and if that day will be made up. Rodin's announcement has drawn praise from students, faculty and staff who say that the new policy will allow them to attend memorial celebrations without getting behind in work. "It is such an important day about such an important man," former United Minorities Chairman Chaz Howard said. "It's totally positive and I'm thrilled to hear Dr. Rodin felt that way." Undergraduate Assembly Chairman Michael Bassik echoed Howard's statement. "We're excited that the administration has decided to afford the students the opportunity to commemorate the legacy of MLK," the College junior said. "This will give students the chance to attend MLK events." The decision to have the University officially observe MLK marks a significant shift in Penn's official attitude toward the holiday. In the past, students were allowed to miss class to observe without academic penalty, but the University officially remained open. Sponsoring a series of events and engaging in meaningful discussion, University officials argued, was the appropriate way to honor an ardent supporter of education like King. But times have changed, and Provost Robert Barchi said he hoped that by having the University observe MLK Day, it would encourage students and faculty to celebrate King's legacy. "This shouldn't be looked at as a day off where everybody takes a long weekend," he said. "What we are hoping is that this will be a day for people to participate." In the past, minority leaders have said that attendance at many campus events was hurt by the absence of students concerned about missing class.