Students work to continue summer service programs in Latin America
Since 1994, Princeton students have traveled to Belize for the summer ? teaching adult education classes, coordinating summer camps and beautifying national parks ? to help some of Latin America's less fortunate.But last spring, when the University reduced financial support for the trip, one student and two alumni mobilized to form Princeton Programs with the International Community to ensure that the service program they had enjoyed would continue."[The trip] didn't fit the University's strict educational mission and they wanted to alter some things," said PPIC co-founder and past-president Aaron Michels '00 of the University's decision that prompted him, Sarah Betrucci '98 and Chad Oliver '98 to find other ways to support the Belize trips.According to Associate Dean of Religious Life Sue Anne Steffey Morrow, the University's office of risk management decided the trips to Belize were "not sufficiently in line with the University's primary mission of the education of its students to be a worthy risk."PPIC ? a nonprofit organization that thrives on tax-deductible donations from foundations and individuals ? funds nine-week summer trips to Belize's St.