EVENT UPDATE: Board Votes to Transition ACBSP Conference 2020 to a Virtual Event

04/03/2020

ACBSP CONFERENCE 2020 UPDATE: In a special session on April 1, the ACBSP Board of Directors voted unanimously to transition ACBSP Conference 2020 to a virtual conference at a date to be announced very soon. The in-person conference had been scheduled to take place June 26-29 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile.

The vote by the Board to change from an in-person conference was a very difficult decision. The Board has been monitoring the sweeping changes our membership has experienced as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the world. They surveyed the ACBSP membership and learned that travel restrictions for most members extend through the semester, for many through the summer, and for some through the fall.

The health and safety of our members is our primary concern.

The most important thing has always been the health and safety of all of those who would come together to make ACBSP Conference 2020 happen as well as our broader responsibility to society's efforts to tackle this global challenge. With so much uncertainly, the Board wanted to be proactive and alleviate any concerns our members might have about attending this popular event.

For those who have already registered for the conference, ACBSP will be posting a fact sheet regarding refunds and other important information, however, please be sure to cancel your hotel reservation.

Turning Challenge into Opportunity

Plans are already underway for our Virtual ACBSP Conference 2020. It will be informative and engaging with virtual presentations, awards, and even a virtual exhibitor marketplace. We will share dates and details soon.

We know times are challenging right now and we are here to support you. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at conference@acbsp.org.

Health and Public Safety Message Regarding ACBSP Conference 2020

03/24/2020

Dear ACBSP Community,

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to present global concerns, all of our lives have undoubtedly been affected. Families, communities, businesses and our ACBSP member campuses are navigating a truly unprecedented global event.

We are reaching out with an update from the ACBSP team and Board of Directors to reassure you that we are working to keep our employees safe while at the same time continuing to serve our membership.

Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our employees, members and the greater community.

Following the recommendations of governments and public health experts, we have restricted all travel, closed the home office and transitioned to a fully remote work operation so that our team can work safely from their homes and continue to support you without disruption.

The majority of ACBSP member campuses have responded to the worldwide spread of COVID-19 by closing their physical campuses and transitioning face-to-face classes to online for the remainder of the semester. Educators and administrators with little advance notice are working quickly to make this happen and communicate plans with students. Your efforts in recent weeks have been nothing short of heroic.

Colleges and universities all over the world are evolving to accommodate this fluid situation. We understand that budgets, timelines, and projects will be revised as you pivot strategy, and we want to reassure you that we will continue to support each of you.

We have received questions from accredited members wondering how to measure quality and accreditation review in these challenging times. Rest assured, as this crisis escalates, you are redefining quality in real time. We are living through a rapidly evolving, historical moment. When we get past this—and we will get past this—you will have a multitude of examples of ways in which you are responding to all of your stakeholders in a careful, thoughtful way, ensuring that your students’ education and experiences go uninterrupted.

As we all seek to understand this changing landscape, we are committed to providing tools and resources to help our members navigate this challenge. Here are a few ways we are doing that:

• We are developing a series of complimentary webinars to support you as you work remotely. The first, An Overview of the ACBSP Accreditation Process, was offered on March 19 with 97 participants. This new series, along with the Teaching Excellence Webinar Series, will be available on demand at acbsp.org. 
• Our popular Access Accreditation Workshop scheduled in March and April will be rescheduled to more accommodating dates in the future.

We value your support as we all face these challenges together. If you have any questions or if there are other ways in which we might assist you or other resources we might provide, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at membership@acbsp.org.

You are the heart of our organization. We send our best wishes for your health and well-being.