'U' MLK symposium one of largest in U.S.

In an attempt to commerate both the man and his ever-lasting message, the University is staging the nation's second largest celebration in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. With more than 100 events held during several days, the University's MLK symposium is by far the largest celebration being held on any college campus in the United States.

The symposium is second in size only to festivities being hosted by the Atlanta-based King Center.

While the MLK symposium is always a monumental event in Ann Arbor, recent lawsuits challenging the admissions policies of both the University's Law School and College of Literature, Science and the Arts have thrust this year's celebration into the national spotlight.

"I think because Dr. King's work focused a lot on affirmative action, among other issues, there is a lot of attention that is focused on us," said MLK program coordinator Tara Young.

Young said King's work did not just center on one class or race, which is one of the reasons the symposium "has multiple reflections."

"It's to celebrate and honor Dr. King," Young said. "It's also to continue the dialogue that he would still be doing if he was still alive."

University alumna Philina Adams, who was on the programming committee, said yesterday was unlike other holidays.

"We take the extra step," Adams said. "It's to pay tribute to such a tremendous figure."

The symposium's wide variety of events makes it the envy of other schools nationwide.

Isabel Mapp, the executive chair of

the University of Pennsylvania's Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration, said Penn has been trying to make their program more extensive.

Mapp said there have been many complaints because Penn did not officially cancel classes this year in honor of King.

"We believe the man was so great it's good to keep his name alive throughout the year," Mapp said. "We don't want to limit him to one day."

Mapp said her university's highlights include speakers, an anti- violence vigil, gospel groups and poetry readings. She said yesterday there were discussions designed to examine the relationship between African Americans and Jewish students.

"It's important to maintain the dialogue. We use this as a starting point for us to speak with each other at the University," Mapp said. "We have been trying to make our events as extensive as the University of Michigan, but we haven't gotten there yet."

Gila Reinstein, Yale University's public information officer, said that although students do not have the holiday off, they are still encouraged to participate in events. Reinstein said there were 3 major campuswide events planned yesterday.

"Martin Luther King was a great figure in American History," Reinstein said. "There is a tremendous amount of interest in marking the day."

Michigan State University's Multicultural Officer Natalie Thomason said that the university's decision to hold classes yesterday prompted many complaints from students. Thomason said most MSU events were held yesterday, consisting of films, speakers and a public march.

"They are working on getting the day off next year," Thomason said. "I think more people would come if classes were canceled."

Michael Blanco, director of Penn State University's Multicultural Resource Center, said yesterday is not considered a university holiday. But Blanco said there are activities all week long in State College, Penn. that will commemorate King.

"There is typically a good turnout for the events planned," Blanco said. "It's a pretty major celebration every spring."

Ryan Gravatt, a reporter for the University of Florida's student newspaper said students in Gainesville did not go to class in order to participate in events taking place.

"I guess having the day off encourages students to come out," Gravatt said.

But Gravatt said that despite the university holiday and planed activities, most students and faculty are still talking about the racial remarks made by Florida President John Lombardi rather than the celebration of King's birthday.

"There will be a bigger focus on the President than Martin Luther King which could be ironic," Gravatt said.

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