Policies & Information

Payment via check, money order, or credit card is acceptable. If paying by credit card, payment is due with the registration form. You may include a purchase order number on your registration form to indicate a forthcoming check; however, a purchase order is not considered payment and no purchase orders will be accepted after December 17, 2018. Checks and money orders must be payable to “NIRSA,” and foreign checks must be imprinted “US Funds.” You will be mailed a confirmation/receipt within 5 days of receipt of your registration at the NIRSA Headquarters. If you do not receive an email, contact the NIRSA Headquarters at 541-766-8211. An email address is required to receive a receipt/confirmation of registration.

Cancellation of registration for NIRSA educational events and refund requests must be made in writing (mail, fax, email) to: Cancellation, c/o Billing Coordinator, NIRSA, 4185 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333-1067; fax: 541-766-8284; email: billing@nirsa.org

• Cancellations received on or before December 17, 2018 will receive a 100% refund, minus a $20 administrative fee.
• Cancellations received before January 11, 2019 will receive a 50% refund.
• Refunds cannot be guaranteed for cancellations received after January 11, 2019 or for no-shows at the event.

Extenuating circumstances may warrant exceptions to the Refund Policy. For a review of a specific refund amount, please contact the Billing Coordinator: billing@nirsa.org.

For the comfort and health of attendees, smoking is not permitted at any NIRSA function.

Recognizing that many will take advantage of the opportunity for socializing and alcohol consumption, the Planning Committee actively encourage responsible decision-making and healthy choices. Supporting this policy, non-alcoholic beverages will be offered at all NIRSA-sponsored receptions. In accordance with state law, no alcohol will be served to anyone under age 21.

Consistent with our commitment to our strategic values, NIRSA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment that promotes a culture of respect for all meeting and event participants and NIRSA staff. When diverging opinions occur, NIRSA encourages all attendees, staff, volunteers, etc. to be mindful of your behavior by being respectful and practicing civil discourse.   All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, NIRSA staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by this Event Safety & Responsibility Policy. This Policy applies to all NIRSA meetings and events, including those sponsored by organizations other than NIRSA but held in conjunction with NIRSA events, in public or private facilities.

Personal Safety and Security

NIRSA works diligently to provide a safe and secure environment at its meetings and events by working with venue staff to make sure meeting participants are safe. We ask that all attendees report any questionable or concerning activity to NIRSA staff so that they can take appropriate action. No concern is too small, if you see something, say something.

• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Use the buddy system when walking to and from the event venue, networking event locations during early or late hours.
• Don’t wear your meeting badge on the street. Remove it as soon as you leave the building/venue.
• Don’t carry a lot of cash or credit cards. Leave valuables in your hotel room safe.
• Don’t leave personal property unattended anywhere, anytime.

If it is a non life-threatening emergency or if you need immediate assistance, you should ask any NIRSA staff member or the on-site security personnel to help you.  For life threatening emergencies, call 911 or the local emergency number.

Unacceptable Behavior

• Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
• Physical or verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, NIRSA staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
• Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, NIRSA staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
• Disruption of presentations at sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by NIRSA at the meeting venue, hotels, or other NIRSA-contracted facilities.

Responsible Consumption of Alcohol and other Intoxicants

• At some NIRSA networking events both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are served. NIRSA expects all participants who are of legal age and choose to consume alcohol at our events to do so responsibly. NIRSA and host event staff have the right to deny service to participants for any reason, and may require a participant to leave the event.
• Follow all local & state laws related to alcohol and other intoxicants.

NIRSA has zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment by participants or our staff at our meetings. If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, NIRSA asks that you inform either Mary Callender, Sr. Director of Operations, mary.callender@nirsa.org, 541-766-8211 or Scott Vandermoon, Region III Regional Representative, svander4@depaul.edu, so that we can take the appropriate action.

NIRSA reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the event without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and NIRSA reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting or event.

Suggested attire is business casual.

NIRSA will use photographs and video taken during this event to promote the Association and future events. Your registration form provides NIRSA with the unrestricted right to use photographs and video at its discretion for the purpose outlined above.