Nov. 10 through Dec. 10 has been dedicated as the Month of Kindness at the University. The idea is to promote spreading kindness throughout the University community through activities and events sponsored by a variety of student and community organizations.

While designating a “Month of Kindness” might seem corny, University students should at least take a look at the activities planned (the whole calendar of events is listed at www.monthofkindess.com). Student groups are supporting the event, including the Daily. Instead of being jaded about a month dedicated to being nice, students should try to participate in one of the events, or at least join in the spirit of the concept.

A few of the events promise to be interesting at the least: On Saturday, Gophers After Dark will sponsor Month of Kindness Night at Coffman Union and Compassionate Action for Animals will host a turkey-free Thanksgiving potluck at the UTech Center. On Nov. 22, the Daily will host Fall Freakout! at the Corner Bar, benefiting the Emergency Foodshelf Network. On Nov. 29, the Student-Athlete Advisory Council will sponsor the Student-Athlete Date Auction to benefit the Red Cross and Hurricane Katrina victims.

A major part of the Month of Kindness is Students Today Leaders Forever’s Pay It Forward tour. The nonprofit’s nine-day, eight-bus trek through several major cities from Minneapolis to Washington, D.C., is a unique and worthy way to show the spirit of “Minnesota nice” to the rest of the country though community service. The students participating should be commended for their dedication to spreading kindness.

However students choose to show their kindness to others this month, they should remember that while the University has designated 30 days to being nice, the spirit of charity and cooperation should last all year. If more people would remember that, the University will be a more pleasant place to be for students from all walks of life.