Change doesn't stop with King

It's easy for students in 2006 to lose sight of the fact that IU hasn't always fully honored the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. In fact, it has only been in the last decade that students were given reprieve from their classes and allowed to observe the holiday. And it is remarkably appropriate that it took a group of students, committed to honoring the legacy of the great civil rights leader, to turn IU upside down voluntarily and reserve the third Monday in January for reflection on King.\nThe King holiday has been observed as a federal holiday since 1986. As recently as the late 1990s though, IU administrative offices would close for the day and the campus would promote a variety of activities, but classes would remain in session. \nBut in 1997, only a scant nine years ago, things changed. Thirty-two student organizations planned a gigantic protest during the King holiday weekend to stand together to reform IU policies. They issued six demands, including: full recognition of the King holiday; approval and implementation of a Latino studies department or program; the creation of an Asian Culture Center; the appointment of an Asian-American advocacy dean; University funding for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Center; and an increase in non-white and female faculty.\nIU agreed to consider the demands. Many of them have been put into place, including full recognition of the King holiday. Shortly following the demonstration, the IU board of trustees voted to establish a day off for all of IU's campuses. While then-trustee President John Walda denied that the student protest affected the board's decision to move forward -- and said that the board had in fact been planning such a move for some time -- it seems unlikely action would have been taken so swiftly if students had not raised their voices and made their views known. \nWe are a generation of students heavily influenced by King. For as long as many of us can remember, our calendars have always recognized the King holiday. Only the fewest of us would be unable to identify who uttered the eloquent phrase "I have a dream." His legacy of peace, protest, activism and reform has reached down through the years and serves a positive influence for those who dare to change the world.\nFor many years, we have taken this time before the holiday to encourage all students to become involved in something for the King holiday. Make it a "day on, not a day off." The campus and the community are providing many events this weekend in which students and residents can participate. And even if you choose not to engage in established activities, take time to pause and reflect on King and what he meant, or take the time to volunteer your services to someone in need.\nTake a lesson from King and from IU's student activists: change is possible, big or small, but only when you commit yourself to make such a change. Get involved, and it will happen.