When I was at Central Michigan U, playing rugby amidst the stench of farm animals & implements, the student body threw a fit because we didn’t get MLK day off, and we were the only Division I school in the state who didn’t take holiday for MLK day. Perusing this year’s academic calendar, I note that the current CMU students will get a day a off for MLK day, but no longer get the mid-winter holiday in February. This is problematic for me, because my friend Dink is still in school, and will be accompanying me on my mid-winter snowboarding extravaganza, which happens to fall over President’s Day.

I’ve decided to omit the tasteless joke, that was first introduced to me by my brother. If you’re that curious, ask for it in the comments and I’ll tell it there…

But seriously, I’ve noticed a trend among employers and universities to abandon the traditional President’s Day holiday, in favor of the PC MLK Day. Now, why on God’s green earth does anyone need January 16 off, let alone college students. Keep in mind they’ve just spent the last month at home working, or drinking, or playing xBox, or whatever it is college students do these days. Probably returned to class about January 10. So, a week later, it’s imperative that they get yet another day off?

I know students fight for their right to not go to classes. This is because most of them don’t pay for said classes, or do so only by massive student loans. But as a student, if you take the time to realize that you’re not getting another day off, they’re simply re-allocating them, wouldn’t you much rather get the time off in February, a month during which you have no other holidays? March is spring break, April is Easter, May — school’s out.

Fortunately, my employer gives us President’s Day off, in lieu of MLK day. And fortunately, I’ll be shredding, as they say, in the Whistler, B.C. backcountry.