S.G.A. Donates $2,000 to S.B.A., Will Consider Haiti Donation

Spring Break Alternative Program is 33% fundraised, and Student Government is chipping in.

NORTH LOUNGE, Cushing Center — The Student Government Association senate has approved a $2,000 donation to the Spring Break Alternative program.

Only one-third of the 16 trips’ costs have been fundraised, according to S.B.A. trip leader Ashley Pratte ’11, who is also president of the junior class.

The senate donated $1,500 last year to the program, and S.G.A. president Scott Campbell ’10 said the senate donated $1,000 the previous year.

Senator Lauren Chooljian ’10 was first to suggest the amount of $2,000, saying that need has not decreased and the number of trips and participants have increased. Last year, there were 15 trips, including one to each Honduras and Costa Rica, according to the college’s S.B.A. website.

Because the S.G.A. treasurer, Timothy J. Vaughan ’11, was absent from the meeting, Mr. Campbell framed the donation as a recommendation to the treasurer, who would then decide to accept or deny the appropriation. Mr. Campbell’s suggestion that the senate also donate to Haiti was sent to an ad hoc committee in Mr. Vaughan’s absence.

“The S.G.A. has been generous to the local community in times of turmoil,” Mr. Campbell said when recommending a donation. “I would ask you to support our global community.”

A donation to Haiti will be added to the agenda for next week’s senate meeting.

The S.B.A. program is a project of Campus Ministry and involves 240 students this year on trips to 11 states and Costa Rica, according to the college’s S.B.A. website.

- gww