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2023 NASPA Annual Conference

Global Health, Safety, and Responsibility

NASPA Event Safety During Public Health EMERGENCIES

UPDATED August 5, 2022
 

With ongoing public health emergencies, NASPA is prepared to manage our place-based events with the health, safety, and well-being of our attendees, staff, presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers in mind. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, NASPA staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by our code of conduct and all polices in effect for any event sponsored by the Association.

We will continue to monitor and update safety precautions for all of our conferences regularly and coordinate with trusted national resources, state and local public health agencies, and the hotels/venues hosting our events.

In all cases, we will continue to assess the risks in the area local to the event and the current status in the United States. In keeping with the Association's duty of care and the responsibility as host, NASPA has implemented safety requirements for many of our place-based convenings.

We reserve the right to modify these policies and procedures at any time given the rapidly changing nature of any current and ongoing public health emergencies. 

COVID-19 Event Safety

NASPA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment in which to learn. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, NASPA staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by our code of conduct and all polices in effect for the event.

We will continue to monitor and update safety precautions for the NASPA Annual Conference regularly and coordinate with trusted national resources, state and local public health agencies, and the hotels/venues hosting the event.

We will continue to assess the risks in the area local to the event and the current status in the United States. In keeping with the Association's duty of care and the responsibility as host, NASPA has implemented safety requirements for the 2023 NASPA Annual Conference. 

As of August 5, 2022, we have updated our policies to the below and we reserve the right to modify these policies and procedures at any time given the rapidly changing nature of the current global pandemic.

COVID-19 Vaccination

In keeping with the Association's duty to care and responsibility as host, NASPA leadership strongly encourages all participants at the in-person 2023 NASPA Annual Conference, whether a presenter, attendee, exhibitor, staff, guest, or vendor to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.   The CDC  updated their Vaccines website to indicate the status of "Fully Vaccinated" and "Up To Date".  

  • "Full vaccination" means that either 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose of FDA or WHO authorized (or emergency use authorized) double-dozed vaccines or single-dose vaccine. 
  • "Up to Date" means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible.

We strongly encourage all attendees who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 Booster in addition to being fully vaccinated. NASPA is following the CDC definition of fully vaccinated for vaccination requirement for the event, but we encourage individuals who are eligible to receive the booster prior to attending the event.

NASPA strongly encourages individuals to be tested for COVID prior to traveling to any NASPA event. Individuals who test positive should stay home and cancel your registration. 

MonkeyPox

Monkeypox is a virus which is generally spread through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact which causes symptoms including fever and rash. The virus is spreading in the United States and globally. On July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization declared the global outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and on August 4, 2022, the Biden Administration declared the United States outbreak a public health emergency.

You can learn more about monkeypox by visiting the World Health Organization (WHO) webpage of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) webpage.

Monkeypox has the potential to impact the field of higher education and the roles of student affairs professionals. The following resources may help student affairs professionals in their work.

Masks

The city of Boston has lifted its indoor mask mandate as of March 1, 2022 and the CDC launched new guidance regarding COVID-19 Community Levels.  As a result, masks are not mandated in indoor settings, including the Boston Convention and Expo Center and the Westin and Omni Hotels.  Wearing a mask at #NASPA23 is a personal choice and we ask that everyone makes their choice responsibly. Given the numbers of individuals coming from around the world, we strongly encourage participants to wear masks (KN95, N95, or surgical (procedure) masks) throughout the event. All attendees should be mindful and respectful of other attendees' health choices.  Masks must cover both the mouth and nose. We ask that participants honor the requests of others to mask up and/or maintain physical distancing.

Please contact Stephanie Gordon, vice president for professional development, and Amy Shopkorn, vice president for operations at [email protected] for more information.

Physical Distancing

While many venues are not currently requiring physical distancing, NASPA will provide physically-distant seating and event space set-up to allow individuals who wish to physically distance while in sessions to do so comfortably. Additionally, to help attendees communicate their level of comfort in interacting with one another, NASPA will provide color-coded ribbons to all onsite attendees:

  • Red = Greet From 6 Feet
  • Yellow = Elbows Only
  • Green = Handshakes and Hi-fives

Continued Planning

NASPA is continuing to develop onsite protocols for seating, signage, meals, and other events during the NASPA Annual Conference. More information will be posted on this website throughout the preparation for your arrival in Boston. We look forward to welcoming you to Boston!

  • Venue and Location COVID-19 Safety Information

    The NASPA Annual Conference will cleaning and sanitation guidelines and procedures from vendors, facilities, and local guidance posted here prior to the event. We are gathering these processes and procedures and will update this page as we confirm the requirements for each venue.

    NASPA is contracting event space from the venue and therefore is able to maintain rules and regulations for that space alone. The Association is not responsible, nor are we able to, require masks or vaccination for the other spaces or areas where the conference is being held. NASPA is not able to require vaccinations of the venue’s staff, but we can require masking of staff working NASPA contracted space.

  • COVID-19 Notice and Waiver

    NASPA will require registrants to understand the place-based NASPA Annual Conference is taking place during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Registrants will be asked to click "I understand" following reading the wavier information. The waiver language is listed below:

    COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization
    and is extremely contagious. NASPA has put in place preventative measures to reduce the
    spread of COVID-19 at the 2023 NASPA Annual Conference; however, NASPA cannot guarantee that attendees will not become infected with COVID-19. By registering for the 2023 NASPA Annual Conference I,

    • acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19;
    • voluntarily assume the risk that I may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by attending the NASPA Annual Conference which exposure or infection may come from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, NASPA employees, volunteers, and program participants and their families; 
    • acknowledge that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death; and 
    • hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless NASPA, its employees, agents, and representatives, of and from any injury to me resulting from being exposed to or infected by COVID-19 in connection with my attendance at the NASPA Annual Conference (including claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of NASPA, its employees, agents, and representatives).
  • Health Screening and Reducing the Spread

    NASPA recommends that all participants screen themselves daily for symptoms. Symptoms may appear 2 – 14 days after exposure to the virus. The following symptoms are outlined on the CDC Website indicating an individual may have COVID-19:

    • Fever or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea

    Individuals who have these symptoms and are unwell should not attend the NASPA Annual Conference. Additionally, if the person is onsite, affected individuals should notify event organizers by sending an email to [email protected]

    Reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 by:

    • Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Personnel must be able to wash their hands after touching any surface/tool suspected of being contaminated, before and after eating or using the restroom, and before touching their face.
    • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
    • Practicing physical distancing
    • Wearing a mask when indoors
    • Avoiding contact with people who are sick
    • Staying home while sick and avoiding close contact with others
    • Covering your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and immediately disposing of the used tissue

    The CDC provides detailed information on when and how to wash your hands. When to wash your hands:

    • Key times to wash your hands (or use hand sanitizer if you don’t have access to soap and water) include:
    • Before, during, and after preparing food
    • Before eating food
    • Before and after treating a wound
    • Before and after removing gloves or other personal protective equipment (PPE)
    • Before exiting a laboratory
    • After using the toilet
    • After contact with frequently touched surfaces (e.g., elevators, lobby areas, reception desks)
    • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
    • After touching an animal or animal waste
    • After touching garbage

    For further information, please visit the following websites:

  • NASPA Code of Conduct - COVID Addendum

    In addition to the Association’s established Code of Conduct, NASPA requires all participants to adhere to this addendum to the code of conduct at in-person events hosted by the Association during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.

    Before Leaving Home

    • Follow relevant guidance provided by the WHO, CDC, and/or your local health authority regarding exposure, testing, and quarantine related to COVID-19.
    • Adhere to government-issued travel restrictions and guidance issued by the WHO, CDC, and/or the local health authority in the regions you will be traveling to and from.
    • Stay home if you feel unwell. 
    • Stay home if you are knowingly exposed to COVID-19, develop symptoms of COVID-19, or test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days prior to the event. 

    Onsite During the Event

    • Follow guidance from the local health authority for everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of viruses including:
      • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
      • Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
      • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Throw unused tissues in the trash.
      • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
      • Wear a properly fitting, CDC-recommended face mask during NASPA events. Face masks will cover from the bridge of your nose to past your chin. 
      • Adhere to physical distance protocols put in place by the Association, the venue or local health authorities.
      • If, at any time, during the conference you feel unwell, learn that you have been exposed to COVID-19 at or less than 14 days prior to the event, develop symptoms of COVID-19, or test positive for COVID-19, do not attend the meeting. Please remain in your hotel room, or at home, and seek medical care. Notify NASPA staff by emailing [email protected].

    Adherence to onsite guidelines in place at the time of event is required. Anyone not adhering to the guidelines will be asked to leave or be removed from the event premises and will be required to surrender their event badge. 

    After the Event

    Based on current contact tracing advice, if you learn that you have been exposed to COVID-19 at the event, were exposed less than 14 days prior to the event, or develop symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19 up to 14 days after returning home, please contact the Association at [email protected].