NASPActs

NASPActs is a key initiative of the Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Division and provides member-driven opportunities for social action and civic engagement. NASPActs programs are created by representatives of the EISJ Division to engage members with a strong passion for activism, social justice, and advocacy.

2019 – Policy Pop Ups in Los Angeles, CA

In conjunction with the National Student Affairs Day of Action, NASPActs will lead a series of Policy Pop Ups at the 2019 Annual Conference in Los Angeles, CA. Members of the EISJ Division and NASPA staff will collaborate to present five 20-minute policy sessions on Monday and Tuesday of the conference.

The sessions will familiarize attendees with NASPA’s policy and advocacy work, teach skills related to effective advocacy with policymakers, and provide opportunities for participants to practice political advocacy. We will provide three important things to know about each issue and offer two or three tangible actions to advocate. Join us for the Policy Pop-Ups at the dates and times below:

Monday, March 11, 2019

  • Title IX, Campus Sexual Assault Response and Prevention: NASPA Engagement Lounge, 10:10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 
  • Campus Accessibility: NASPA Engagement Lounge, 2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. 

 Tuesday, March 12, 2019

  • Immigration and International Students: NASPA Engagement Lounge, 10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
  • Inclusion for Transgender and Gender Non-binary People: JW Marriott Lobby, 3:20 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.
  • Civic Engagement and Freedom of Expression: NASPA Commons, 4:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.

Conference attendees are also encouraged to write letters to their legislators that we will mail following the conference. This will take place in the NASPA Engagement Lounge throughout the conference.

2018 – Rally for Student Rights in Philadelphia, PA

NASPActs led the Rally for Student Rights at the 2018 Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA. The rally was intended to bring awareness to the various ways that minoritized student populations were being negatively affected by the Trump administration’s policies.


Fact sheets detailing the effects of state and federal policy on minoritized student populations were distributed by the NASPActs Committee in the Exhibit Hall. The committee also provided a sign-making station in advance of the rally.


Attendees marched from the convention center to the Thomas Payne Plaza in downtown Philadelphia. At the Plaza, several students who were targeted by policy changes shared their personal narratives and offered ways that student affairs professionals can continue to support them on campus.

2017 – Call to Action Vigil in San Antonio, TX

NASPActs organized several events throughout the 2017 Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX. The NASPActs Booth in the exhibit hall served as home base for a letter writing campaign. Members signed letters opposing discriminatory trans bathroom bills in 14 states and letters in support of DACA-mented and undocumented students affected by the immigration ban.


Additionally, the committee hosted a call to action vigil. During this event, leaders from NASPA’s identity-based Knowledge Communities spoke to the importance of unity in supporting our colleagues, our students, and social justice efforts on campus.

2016 – Indy Action March in Indianapolis, IN

The Indy Action March is where NASPActs first began. The passing of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in Indiana, empowered NASPA’s members to organize against the discriminatory legislation.


At the 2016 Annual Conference in Indianapolis, attendees marched on the Indiana State Capital Building in solidarity against bigotry and intolerance, demanding equal protection for all people under the law.


A video highlighting this event can be viewed here.