California State University, Fresno urges students preparing for spring break to be aware of a travel warning issued Sunday, March 14, by the U.S. Department of State that violence in México has increased, including the abduction and murder of two resident U.S. citizens in the northern México state of Chihuahua.
A notice will be posted Thursday, March 18, in a special spring break edition of the Bulldog Blog, the biweekly e-mail newsletter sent by Associated Students Inc. to all Fresno State students. Spring break will be March 29-April 2.
The Bulldog Blog announcement says in part, “The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to delay unnecessary travel to parts of Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua states.”
While Fresno State does not typically issue travel advisories for students, Dr. Paul M. Oliaro, vice president for Student Affairs, and Associated Students Inc. President Jessica Sweeten said they want students to be aware of potential dangers and to consider a community service project on their break, instead.
“Some of our students do undertake community service projects during the week-long break, while many others use that time to work and earn extra funds,” Oliaro said.
The student newspaper, The Collegian, also is being encouraged to cover this issue to help inform students, Sweeten said.
Melissa Jessen, assistant director of the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning, said service opportunities in the Alternative Spring Break program are available at Rotary Playland and with the Street Saints.
The university’s Alcohol Safety Council is helping send its own message about spring break responsibility with a DUI mock trial at 6 p.m. March 22 at the Satellite Student Union.
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