January 12, 2012

Alternative Spring Break sessions planned

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Excursion is how some students from Southern Illinois University Carbondale will celebrate spring break in 2012.

Sure, they’ll visit Orlando, Fla., along with Nashville, Tenn., and Atlanta.  But it won’t be all about hitting the beaches and visiting the hotspots.  Rather, they’ll be making a difference as participants in Alternative Spring Break 2012.  The idea is to spend the week away from campus helping others.

Plans call for about 50 students to take part in the Southern Excursion, scheduled for March 12-18.  In each of the cities, they will participate in community service projects.  In Tennessee, they’ll work at the Nashville Zoo and in Atlanta, they’ll help the homeless and hungry.  In Florida, they’ll work with youths with mental disabilities.

The all-inclusive cost is $300 for students residing in University Housing and $350 for other students.  There will be five informational sessions about Alternative Spring Break 2012.  All sessions are set for 8:30 p.m. and all University students are welcome.  The dates and locations are:

            •  Jan. 18 at Lentz Hall, lower level

            •  Jan. 19 at Neely Hall, Council Room

            •  Jan. 20 at University Hall

            •  Jan. 22 at Schneider Hall, Council Room

            •  Jan. 23 at University Hall

            For more information, contact Jeremi Cheeks at jcheeks@housing.siu.edu.