Boycott Divides ACSP

The 2005 Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) conference was scheduled to take place in Charleston, South Carolina (Clemson University). On March 19, 2005 the ACSP Governing Board decided to move the conference to a different site. The move was prompted by a divisive debate about the pros and cons of supporting the NAACP's Boycott of South Carolina (NAACP boycott organizers asked the ACSP to relocate the 2005 Annual ACSP conference out of the state of South Carolina).

ACSP member Keith Pezzoli has published a complete, un-edited, and chronological record of all comments posted on the GPEIG and PLANET listservs between March 10-22, 2005 regarding the NAACP boycott and ACSP conference siting debate.

From ACSP President Chris Silver's concluding email (PDF,12KB) on the subject:

"I am writing to update you with regard to our 2005 conference. The ACSPGoverning Board met this weekend during the APA Conference and we reconsidered theissue of holding this year’s conference in Charleston, SC. The discussion was full andtouched on all sides of the issue. We voted and reaffirmed our initial decision, but thevote also indicated that the Governing Board remained divided on proceeding with theCharleston site. At that point, our Clemson colleagues withdrew their offer to host the2005 Conference. By doing this, they were giving the Governing Board the opportunityto decide on the location matter without reference to our host local. The GoverningBoard agreed with my recommendation to terminate our contracts with the Charlestonhotels and to seek a new site."

Thanks to Chris Steins