News Release

Students participate in UDM's 18th Alternative Spring Break

At this time of the year, many college students are searching for the right bikini or Speedo and traveling to a hot sandy beach for their spring break after a grueling months of class. While some might be living the "life of leisure," a select group of students at UDM will spend their vacations in a non-traditional way, by taking part in the University Ministry's 18th annual Alternative Spring Break (ASB).

From March 1 - March 8, 2008, 41 people will be participating in the volunteer opportunities across the country, including 30 students, faculty, administration, alumni and friends of the University.

The volunteers will be split up into six different groups and will travel to the following locations:

• Mississippi / New Orleans, Louisiana - Hurricane Katrina rebuilding
• Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina - home repair for the elderly and/or disabled
• Burnsville, North Carolina - working with the children of Hispanic immigrants
• Los Angeles, California - working with the homeless and immigrants
• Anthony, New Mexico - working at a women's center, partially spending time in Mexico for a cross-cultural border experience.

Dedicated to education through community service and experiential learning, ASB seeks to educate student volunteers about specific social issues by immersing them in diverse cultures and environments across the country. The participants travel together and live in a community atmosphere, sharing chores, meals and reflection opportunities.

Over 20,000 students at hundreds of college campuses across the country participate in ASB programs each year. ASB is organized by the UDM's University Ministry which is open to persons of all faith and offers several programs that vary from retreats to service opportunities for UDM students, faculty, and staff. The programs enable members to grow in faith, spirituality, and make connections with their academic studies and professional interests.

Release date: February 13, 2008

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For more information about UDM, or to apply online, go to www.udmercy.edu/apply.