ASB: Be a Participant - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can apply?
A: All University-affiliated students and staff are invited to apply and there are no pre-requisites of previous service or education.
Q: How do interviews work?
A: Applicants rank their issue preference (choosing from Youth & Education, Health & Aging, HIV/AIDS, Urban Poverty, Rural Poverty, Environment, Native American, Border & Immigration, and Domestic Violence) and are placed in issue groups by the ASB lead team. Site leaders place participants in a group after a round of interviews in early November. Because each trip's leaders choose their participants, there are no overall criteria for application that apply to ASB as a whole. However, successful candidates generally display a strong interest in the issue and site, are cooperative in group settings, and are committed to participating fully in the Alternative Spring Break experience, including pre-, during-, and post-break activities.
Q: How many people are selected to go on each ASB trip?
A: A maximum of twelve people are admitted to each trip (in addition to two site leaders).
Q: What if I'm not placed on a site?
A: Interested and enthusiastic applicants who are not initially admitted to a trip will be placed on a waiting list and will be admitted on a space-available basis.
Q: How much does ASB cost?
A: The participant fee for the 2008-2009 school year is $125 per person. The fee was raised from past years to cover increasing expenses to run the program. However, more scholarships will be available as well. Each site is responsible for fundraising a minimum of $700 throughout the school year to cover housing and transportation costs. Sites are also allowed to fundraise over the $700 mark to use on food, activities and other group expenses while on the trip.
Q: Does ASB offer financial aid for participants?
A: ASB has scholarships available for anyone that receives financial aid through the University for the 2009 spring break. There are also limited need-based scholarships available for those who do not receive financial aid. Email holdthemayo@umich.edu for questions or an application.
Q: What is the time commitment like prior to spring break?
A: It varies from group to group and is up to the site leaders. Participants can expect bi-weekly planning and educational meetings during fall semester and weekly meetings during winter semester. A pre-spring break service project is strongly recommended and can be anything from a couple hours to a day long. Additionally, each group is required to raise at least $600 before spring break.
Q: How long are trips?
A: Trips generally last for nine days, including the weekends before and after the scheduled week of break. Some trips may leave the Friday before break, as driving distance dictates.
Q: How will we get there?
A: Groups travel in University vehicles to their sites and approved participants share driving responsibilities.
Q: Where do we stay?
A: Most groups find housing on-site, but others may stay at nearby churches or service organizations. Housing is usually simple, so you may need to bring along sleeping bags, towels, and cooking supplies. Your site leaders will be responsible for locating appropriate housing for your stay. Trips that require more than one driving day will stay in a hotel overnight during the drive.
Q: Can I sign up with a group of friends?
A: Participants are encouraged to use the Alternative Spring Break experience to immerse themselves fully in their selected social justice issue and meet new friends. We generally discourage students from signing up with a group of friends and can not guarantee that applicants will be placed in the same issue group for interviews. However, the decision is ultimately up to site leaders, who select individuals for sites.
Q: I can't go on my trip. Can I have a refund?
A: Sorry, once the participant fee has been submitted, refunds are not possible due to the depositing rules of our University account.
Q: Is Alcohol or drug use permitted during an Alternative Spring Break Trip?
A: Alcohol and drug use and possession on any UM-ASB trip is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN due to University policy, liability and legal issues, respect for the members of your group, and most importantly the individuals and organizations with whom we are working during spring break. If you are found with alcohol or drugs, you will immediately be asked to leave your group and travel home at your own expense.
