SAR United States General Assembly

From December 2-3, the first ever General Assembly of the United States Section of the Scholars at Risk Network will be held in New Orleans, hosted by and in partnership with Xavier University of Louisiana. An optional, pre-conference gathering will be held on Thursday, December 1.

As the inaugural in-person US Section event, this early December meeting will bring together leaders and advocates from SAR member universities and educational associations across the nation to raise awareness of attacks to scholars, students, and the higher education community and set the section’s protection and advocacy agenda for the coming years. The 2022 SAR United States General Assembly will include two days of plenaries, panels, and working sessions for our growing section at the home institution of the Section Chair, Anne McCall, at Xavier University of Louisiana. 

This special assembly recognizes a period of tremendous growth of the SAR Network, and in turn, tremendous need. In the last year alone, SAR received record applications from scholars facing risk in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia, Yemen, Syria, Ethiopia, and more. At such a critical juncture, this in-person assembly provides a forum for the higher education community to discuss opportunities to work together, share experiences, and develop good practices to protect scholars, promote academic freedom, and defend everyone’s freedom to think, question, and share ideas. 

Click here to access the schedule. Please note that this schedule is subject to change and additional sessions may be added. A more detailed schedule will be available here ahead of the assembly. . 

While this is an in-person event, SAR will distribute an online recap of the meeting and related resources to those who wish to receive it. Please complete this form to receive follow-up communications.

Click here to be taken to the registration page.  

Hotels: SAR has arranged a room block at the ALoft New Orleans Downtown and a discounted rate at the nearby Hyatt Regency Hotel. You may make travel arrangements by selecting the following links.

ALoft New Orleans Downtown | 225 Baronne St. New Orleans, LA 70112

Deadline to reserve with discounted rate: Nov. 15, 2022.

Hyatt Regency | 601 Loyola Ave. New Orleans, LA 70113

Use Corporate or Group Code 14930.

Transportation:

Airport Shuttle Service: The airport shuttle provides transportation between the airport and XULA, ALoft Downtown, and/or the Hyatt Regency for approximately $25 per passenger. Passengers are advised to request services least 48 hours in advance to reserve your spot–flight number and departure/arrival times are requested. If arranging transportation to and from XULA, the shuttle will pick up and drop off in front of the University Center. To reserve: http://airportshuttleneworleans.com/

Hotel Shuttle to XULA: There will be a provided shuttle service to and from the Aloft Downtown and the Hyatt Regency Hotel to XULA once per day. Information regarding the shuttle departure and arrival times will be sent to registered participants in advance.

Taxi Cabs: Taxi cab prices can vary from one company to the next, but all taxis should have a working meter visible to the customer. It is customary to tip the driver between 10% – 15% of the fare. United Cabs | 504-522-9771 Metairie Cab | 504-835-4242 Checker-Yellow Cabs | 504-486-9967

Public Transportation: The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority operates buses and streetcars. You can begin by planning your trip here.

Event Location:

With the exception of the optional pre-meeting Open House*, all programmatic sessions will take place within the University Center at Xavier University of Louisiana.

Xavier University of Louisiana | 4955 Drexel Dr. New Orleans, LA 70125

*Details regarding the Pre-Meeting Open House will be sent to registered participants in advance.