Hoping a new name will better express its mission, AlternativeSpring Break executive board members will change the group’smoniker at a meeting Saturday. The yet to be decided switch will gointo effect immediately.
“The name change is pretty much long overdue,” said formerprogram director Melissa McGonegle. “We do more than just SpringBreak. We also do all sorts of campus programming.”
Alternative Spring Break has come a long way since it began withone trip nine years ago. The group coordinated service trips to sixsites Winter Quarter and 16 sites Spring Break, as well as twoshorter weekend trips. A fall trip will be added next year.
Program director Emily Barker said group members have suggestedmore than 30 names, with some retaining the term “break” and othersemphasizing a service-learning theme.
ASB leaders said the name change has nothing to do with funding.In February the Student Activities Finance Board recommendeddemoting the group, but ASB appealed and kept its status, getting$5,000 from SAFB in April to fund next year’s Spring Breaktrips.
Medill sophomore Rachel Stults, who has participated in threeASB trips, said a name change could clear up confusion aboutASB.
“A lot of people are really surprised when they find out we haveweekend and winter trips, too,” Stults said.