Monday one of IU's few holidays

One day every year in January, the country honors one of the most peaceful leaders in American history -- Martin Luther King Jr. Like most federal holidays, schools and post offices will be closed. \nAnd Americans have also set aside certain days to honor this nation's veterans, laborers and Columbus. Most people don't have to work these days either. But IU students, faculty and staff work or go to class for all three.\nBloomington Faculty Council President David Daleke said the University doesn't close on such holidays because there are a set number of institutional days IU must reach every semester, which are complicated by lab courses and other things.\nThe campus calendar, which is determined by a campus committee but must be approved by the BFC, has barely changed in the past 15 years. IU has observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day only since the BFC approved the measure in 1997. The last change before that one was in 1988 when IU adopted measures to lengthen each semester by cutting down Thanksgiving and Winter breaks. \nDaleke said there are tradeoffs when it comes to the calendar because there are a lot of constraints built into the schedule. \n"I think any of these national holidays are all deserving of honor," he said. "But Martin Luther King Jr. Day is particularly deserving of honor and entirely appropriate to make it a day on, not a day off."\nHistory Professor Steve Stowe said he knew people in 1997 who felt very strongly about honoring the day and wanted the policy changed. He remembers public meetings were held to discuss the matter.\nHe said from a faculty member's perspective, they wanted the holiday off not only to honor Martin Luther King Jr., but also because most other universities and institutions had the day off when IU still held classes.\n"We argued it was observed by institutions with comparable stature, and with good reason," Stowe said.\nStowe believes getting certain holidays off differs from region to region. He noted many Chicago public schools are closed for Columbus Day, but many other parts of the nation don't observe it. This, he said, is because Chicago has a large Italian population which lobbies the Chicago public schools and support a day in Columbus' name.\nStowe said in order for anyone to make a case that IU should observe certain holidays, people must lobby for it. And the reason why IU only observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day is because it is historically relevant at this time. \n"It seems to me what the University is saying is that Martin Luther King Jr. represents things in life that we should all take a moment in life to observe," he said. \nWhen asked if he thinks the University holds Martin Luther King Jr. Day in higher standing than other federal holidays, Stowe said, "I suppose the answer is yes because the University doesn't do that for every person or every event."\nBut things have the potential to change, he said.\nDaleke said the BFC will consider any proposal through the committee.\n"Down the road there will be someone else observed for some reason," Stowe said.\nStowe said in his view, Labor Day deserves recognition because working men and women should be able to observe the day. \n"The fact that IU doesn't observe Labor Day, I think, is a mistake," he said. "It puts us in a distinct minority, but I don't think it's the day off that matters -- it matters of what a reflective holiday is supposed to stand for. Lobbyists should have a reason to deserve, not that they just want a day off."\nAnd that is exactly what Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not about, said Gloria Gibson, associate vice chancellor for multicultural affairs.\n"It's not a day where by you sleep in late and do nothing," she said. "It's a day where IU students can be engaged in social service and educational activities, where students can be engaged and learn about aspects of diversity."\nWhile Gibson said she couldn't comment on whether or not the University should observe holidays like Labor Day, Columbus Day and Veteran's Day, she said all holidays potentially have a value for IU students to celebrate.\n"I would hope that students do benefit from celebration from Veteran's Day, as we acknowledge the contribution of those who have served this country and those who have given their lives," she said.\n-- Contact campus editor Christina Galoozis at cgaloozi@indiana.edu.