The Observer, October 20, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 8
UPB offers students a chance to escape Cleveland
This Fall Break, the University Program Board has scheduled a trip to Washington, D.C. for students eager to get away from Cleveland for a few days. The Washington outing sets an important campus precedent, as UPB has already offered a student trip this semester, to Chicago in late September. The Fall Break trip will be the first time ever that the UPB has planned two major weekend trips in one semester.
The Special Events Committee has been very pleased with the response from students. Demand for tickets was much higher than in previous semesters. "In years past, we had difficulties filling the bus," said Michael Rienzo, co-chair of the committee, "but this time we had no problems. Tickets sold out within twenty minutes." Fifty-five people – the "absolute maximum" capacity for a charter bus – will be heading to the nation's capital this weekend.
Though students still looking for something to do this weekend may have missed out on the opportunity, they can look forward to more exciting trips next semester. According to Rienzo, preliminary plans for next semester include a ski trip (most likely in Holiday Valley, N. Y. or Pennsylvania) in February and a visit to Toronto, possibly set for the second week of April. "We're trying to schedule the Toronto trip for the week after Greek Week, but that time may be too busy for students. Planning ahead requires a delicate balance," he said. Increasing the number of trips offered every semester from one to two is sure to please students, especially during the bleak winter months when they will want a change of scenery.
The bus to Washington will leave from Thwing Center on Friday night at 11:30 p.m. and will return on Tuesday afternoon. The ride from Cleveland to D.C. will take eight hours, leaving roughly three days to spend taking in the sights. Tickets for the voyage only cost $60; though this price may sound very low, Case undergraduates are actually paying for a large portion of the trip through the $121 activities fee that is included in students' tuition. Part of that fee provides funding for the Special Events Committee, which then is able to subsidize most of the expenses. "The price of the ticket covers the two nights at the Best Western hotel," Rienzo informed me. "We're able to keep the cost down by putting three to four people in each room."
In previous trips, UPB has provided tickets for various shows, such as the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago. Unfortunately, that will not be the case this time. "My fellow co-chairs and I looked into events in the area, but there was nothing that was deemed enjoyable for everyone," said Rienzo. Even so, students can expect to have ample time to explore the city.
Some travelers are looking forward to going to Washington, D.C. for the first time. Such is the case for senior MacDonald Taylor. "I want to see all of the sights, including our capitol building and all of the museums in the city," he said. "As well as to visit the Georgetown campus, since I'll be applying to their law school." Junior Ryan Tomlinson shared his enthusiasm. One of the reasons why Tomlinson is going is because it's an affordable way to visit a friend from the city. "You can't beat school-subsidized trips!" Tomlinson exclaimed. "I am looking forward to a sweet time." Other students are excited to revisit places they visited as children. Sophomore Julia Rose Judge said, "I'm excited to see D.C. as an adult. I know I will appreciate the history and the monuments more than I did when I was 8."
This UPB trip is a tremendous bargain and a great chance to leave the campus behind for a few days. Pay attention to the UPB's e-mails and website; travel opportunities are announced a few weeks in advance via e-mail and word of mouth. Given the popularity of prior ski weekends and the trip to Toronto two years ago, tickets are expected to once again sell out quickly, so be primed and ready if you're interested!
