WACAC Annual Conference – Coronavirus Update 3.6.20
The start of the 2020 WACAC Annual Conference in Long Beach is weeks away, but we want to provide an update as concerns grow across the country concerning Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). WACAC leaders have been monitoring the situation and have been in contact with the Long Beach Convention Center.
We have been informed that preventative measures have been put into place with the installation of hand sanitizer stations, additional housekeeping on handrails, flat surfaces and in bathrooms. In addition, there have not been any cases of COVID-19 reported in Long Beach. WACAC leadership and the Conference Committee continue to monitor the situation with regular updates which are also available from the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services.
The health and safety of our membership is the priority. In the unlikely event that our Conference needs to be cancelled, we will provide details about a revised refund policy. WACAC and the City of Long Beach remain confident that by mid-May we will be in a position to hold our Annual Conference.
Details about registration rates, lodging and more are available on the WACAC website and Conference Facebook page. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Conference Committee by email: wacacconference@wacac.org.
The WACAC Conference Committee
Special Statement
Changes Made to the Code of Ethics and Professional Practice (CEPP)
on September 28, 2019
at the NACAC Conference in Louisville
Impacting WACAC Members
As most of you know, the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC) is an affiliate organization of the National Organization for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Part of that affiliate relationship mandates that NACAC’s CEPP is also WACAC’s CEPP.
This is why we wish to inform you of permanent changes to the CEPP that were voted on and approved by the NACAC Assembly on September 28,
WACAC is a professional organization with 2,000 members comprised of high school counselors, college admissions professionals (both four-and two-year institutions), community-based organizations, students and educational professionals, as well as independent educational consultants (IECs). As 21% of our membership are IECs, we feel it is important to fully support them both as professionals in our organization and in the larger college admissions landscape.
We are aware that there is discussion in Sacramento exploring some form of oversight of IECs in the state of California. We believe that the IECs who are members of WACAC are doing their work with integrity. As such, we would support a measure that would help bolster the integrity of IEC professionals within the state and would require that they are members of one or more of these following organizations:
- Western Association of College Admission Counseling (WACAC)
- National Association of Admission Counseling (NACAC)
- Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)
- Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA)
- American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
- The California Association of School Counselors (CASC)
Furthermore, though details remain scarce at this time, one significant one has been shared: “A stakeholder group will determine regulations for the industry within a year of registry’s enactment.” With this in mind, WACAC will take deliberate steps to ensure that WACAC and member IECs are fully recognized as a “stakeholder group” and are part of any and all conversations if this legislation moves forward.
Membership Dues Now Free for Public High School Counselors
WACAC (Western Association for College Admission Counseling) recently became the first organization of its type in the US to offer free membership to all Public High School Counselors after a vote of our Executive Board and Membership. This decision reflects the importance of a robust representation of public high school counselors in the organization, and recognizes the lack of professional development funding available in most public high schools.
Annual membership for these individuals now only requires signing up. Members receive periodic e-newsletters, access to college counseling tool kits, discounted registration to local professional development events throughout California and Nevada, as well as reduced registration rates or scholarships to the annual Spring Conference.
Marc McGee, WACAC Past President
Welcome to WACAC
The Western Association for College Admission Counseling supports and advances the work of counseling and enrollment professionals from California and Nevada as they help all students realize their full potential, with emphasis on freshman and transfer transitions to higher education and attention to access and equity for all students.
Founded in 1967, we celebrate 50 years as a non-profit organization supporting college admission counseling.
Recent from the Blog
Coming to Terms with Coronavirus
In the week since WACAC leadership last communicated about how COVID-19 would be affecting our work, the world has dramatically changed. Secondary schools and colleges have moved instruction online, recruitment and yield travel has been canceled, and I write this to...
Supporting English Language Learners in the Public School Setting
As the holidays quickly approach, we can’t help but reflect on our year, while also anticipating the excitement of gathering with family and close friends. This year though, we think more about our holidays as a form of privilege as we serve a high influx of students...
The New Normal
I write this on Monday, November 4 from a Bay Area beginning to recover from devastating fires, power outages, and school closures. In the two weeks – across California – we’ve seen campuses dramatically evacuated and homes lost for the third straight fall in a row....
WACAC in Kentucky: Important Things Happened at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Conference in Louisville
The NACAC conference had a lot to offer WACAC members who traveled all the way to Kentucky! The modern, newly renovated convention center and enthusiastic volunteers created a great atmosphere filled with southern hospitality. From...
Recent job openings
Load more listings
Director of Recruitment and Strategic Initiatives
First Year Recruitment Coordinator Senior, Northern AZ
Regional Recruitment Specialist – Los Angeles/Southern California
Assistant Director, Systems and Operations
Community College Success Advisor
Director of Graduate Enrollment Management Services