SVSU debates MLK day

February 11, 2008 —

During high school, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January is a day that students look to have off and acknowledge the late Dr. King.

But SVSU students have never had that opportunity.

Addressing the concerns of students, Student Association has tried to poll the student body and come to a conclusion about whether or not SVSU should recognize this holiday by leaving the day free for students to celebrate King and his accomplishments.

On Jan. 28, SA hosted a small event in the Cardinal Cage to try to gauge students' opinions. It bought wings from Hooters, ice cream, and soda for students who came to the open forum and filled out an opinion card.

The opinion card asked students whether or not they felt that they should be given MLK day off and if they would be willing to have the final exam schedule adjusted to accommodate for the day off. The adjusted exam schedule would push the exams one day ahead, but also include a Saturday exam.

Chelsea Robl, an SA member who helped organize the program, said the turnout was smaller than she had hoped. About 60 students attended, but only 32 forms were completed.

Out of the 32 students, three completely opposed having the day off. 13 supported having the day off, but not at the cost of adjusting the final exam schedule. 16 fully supported having the day off.

A major concern among students and SA was how the day would be used.

"If we do take the day off, it should be used for different cultural activities to remember Dr. King and his accomplishments," said Robl. "However, most students will take that extra day to catch up on sleep or on homework and then the purpose of the day would be lost."

Despite the concerns, SA voted on the issue and came to the decision that MLK day should be a day off for students and faculty.

Next year's calendar is not changed so readily, though. The results of the poll and SA's vote will be taken to a larger board of faculty and decided upon after deliberation.