NASPA Board Votes to Honor Contract for 2012 NASPA Annual Conference in Phoenix

Message from NASPA President Elizabeth Griego

In its meeting by conference call on June 18, the NASPA Board of Directors voted to honor its contractual commitments to host the 2012 NASPA Annual Conference in Phoenix, and to use the conference program “as an opportunity to address AZ SB 1070 and issues of immigration, social justice, and human dignity.”

 

Background and Information 

In making its decision about whether to hold its national conference in Phoenix in 2012 in light of passage of Arizona Senate Bill 1070, the Board of Directors considered a statement submitted by the Latino/a Knowledge Community, as well as comments from many others. In preparation for the Board meeting and vote, NASPA Board members and staff conducted research and corresponded and talked with many NASPA members, education leaders, other association leaders, NASPA’s regional and divisional advisory boards, members of Arizona’s Region VI Executive Board, and leaders in NASPA’s knowledge communities. The wealth of information reviewed and consulted by the entire Board revealed the range of information and opinions put forward to inform the decision about the 2012 conference location. [see links to related documents in right-hand column for a sampling]

In reviewing the possibilities, NASPA attorneys were consulted about any possible legal basis for canceling the contracts. Upon review, the attorneys were of the opinion that NASPA would not escape significant liability if we were to cancel. As of this date, the exposure to cancel hotel contracts is $850,000, a significant financial decision for the Association to make. Also, given the financial penalty that would have to be paid to the hotels in Arizona, the impact of an economic boycott – one of the chief reasons given for supporting the cancellation of the contract – would be negated. 

The Board was very much in accord with the thinking of the Latino/a KC statement regarding the negative repercussions of SB 1070. It acknowledged that Arizona’s political history has been a concern to NASPA members for some time, including the 1990 failure to establish Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a holiday (approved two years later), last year’s revocation of health benefits for domestic partners of state employees, and, most recently, banning the teaching of ethnic studies in Arizona public schools. Last year, in response to the decision about health benefits for domestic partners, NASPA chose not to hold its assessment and retention conference in Arizona.

The accompanying personal statement, written by NASPA President-elect Dr. Patricia Telles-Irvin, was read at the Board of Directors conference call and provides further explanation of the stance ultimately taken by the Board.

Next steps 

The Board is grateful for the extensive communication extended by the membership around this issue. Following my May 2010 article in the NASPA Forum, I received almost 300 e-mails in response to my views on SB 1070. We acknowledge and honor the passion and commitment of many of our members who stand in fervent opposition to SB 1070. We also acknowledge that there are other NASPA members who favor this legislation and have written in support of it. We respect the right of everyone to hold their informed opinion, and we intend to provide protected and respectful opportunity for ongoing dialogue, beginning with the website blog, continuing with a pre-conference session for the NASPA 2011 conference in Philadelphia, and including attention in the program for the 2012 conference.

In the 2012 conference, we will plan opportunities to meet and work with community leaders, and, if we can get them, state legislators, so that we can understand and perhaps impact one of our country’s most pressing issues: immigration reform. We foresee an exciting opportunity in the Phoenix conference to extend the learning for all of us. And finally, we respect the right of persons to boycott Arizona and not attend the 2012 conference in protest of SB 1070, especially those who may not feel safe in the state given this legislation.

Now we need your help. We welcome your reactions to the Board’s action and to this letter. Express yourself on the NASPA website. If you would like to work on the pre-conference session on immigration reform for the 2011 conference, we would welcome your ideas and creative energy. Please e-mail Kaaryn Sanon to discuss our plans and find out how you can contribute. Also, if you would like to be involved in reacting to and organizing against SB 1070 with other NASPA members, or if you would like to join in efforts to respond to other states considering similar legislation that could result in discrimination or profiling, please e-mail Kaaryn Sanon. If you would like to communicate your views with your regional vice president or the NASPA Board or the Executive Committee, you may find our e-mail addresses on the board page of the NASPA website.

Thanks to all who wrote with views on this important issue, and special thanks to those willing to become involved.