Up With People rises again

More than two years after it shut down for lack of money, Up With People is back and promising a 2004 tour featuring more of its singing, dancing and do-gooding college students.

Jeff Hoag, the former president of the nonprofit organization, said the group will return on a smaller scale. He said 120 students will be accepted for the initial tour of 12 to 18 cities on three continents.

Up With People’s board closed the organization in December 2000, dismissing 262 employees, including 66 workers at its headquarters in Broomfield, Colo. At the time, the group reported a $3.2 million budget shortfall, declining donations and increasing debt and costs.