‘Break for Belonging’ Offers Students Local Alternative Spring Break

SUNY Plattsburgh’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is hosting “Break for Belonging: An Alternative Spring Break Program” during the university’s March 16-20 recess.

“Break for Belonging” features day trips and communal meals for students who are staying in the area and looking for unique things to do, according to Michael Thompson, special projects coordinator in the DEI office.

Now in its second year, the point “is to give students who might be on campus during break the opportunity to experience some campus or local points of interest,” Thompson said. “Last year we did the Memorial Hall climbing wall and kayaking at the Chazy Central Rural School pool as well as arts and crafts and decorating cookies that a faculty member baked.”

This year, students will be able to take a day trip to Lake Placid. Hosted by the adventure and expeditionary studies program, students will board vans for departure at 11 a.m. and return at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 17.

On the March 18, students can take a day trip to Burlington. This trip, hosted by the Global Education Office, leaves campus at 10:30 a.m. and returns at 5:30 p.m.

That evening, students can attend a group dinner at 6:30 in Clinton Dining Hall. Meal plan or self-pay credit cards are accepted. No cash.

Later March 18, students can join in an arts and crafts project at 8 p.m. in the HUB.

On March 19, there will be a guided snowshoeing and service project at Point au Roche State Park, with vans departing at noon and returning at 5 p.m. A closing group dinner will be held at 6 p.m. with the campus location to be determined.

Registration by March 9 is required and can be done at https://forms.gle/XJTyVxjq3xsE7scL9. For more information, contact Thompson at [email protected] or Kim Irland, Title IX coordinator, at [email protected].

— By Associate Director of Communications Gerianne Downs; Photos Provided