Joining ECDET

If you or someone you know is interested in joining our efforts, mail Ti Gierke at tiana@ciponline.org with your name and contact information so we can add you to the membership list.

Expanding ECDET's membership is essential to the success of our efforts. The more compelling our credentials as a nationwide organization with hundreds of members in colleges and universities across the land, the more influence we will have on Congress.

For more information see our website: www.ciponline.org/cuba/ecdet.htm

Why was ECDET formed?

An Academic Freedom Focus Group meeting was held in Washington, DC on November 19, 2004. Attendees from all over the country decided to form an organized opposition to the Bush Administration’s most recent restrictions pertaining to academic travel to Cuba. All agreed that is was necessary to protect the rights of academic institutions to define and execute educational programs as they saw fit. Thus, the coalition was formed.

As a follow-up to the November 19th meeting, a small group met in Washington, DC on December 9th to move ahead with the organization of the coalition. The group agreed that the coalition would be called the Emergency Coalition to Defend Educational Travel.

For legal reasons, ECDET membership is limited to those people who are affiliated with accredited colleges and universities and academic associations.

However we also rely on support from our cooperating associates who are not affiliated with colleges or universities.

Mission Statement

While coalition members oppose all restrictions on travel to Cuba, ECDET’s particular concern is with the restrictions on the travel of academics and the structuring of study programs to Cuba.

Task Forces

While ECDET members reside all over the United States, practicality calls for ECDET action and organization to be centered in Washington, DC. Wayne Smith of Johns Hopkins University and Les McCabe of Semester at Sea, ECDET’s co-chairs, work to coordinate the efforts of the coalition members.

ECDET’s efforts are divided into the four different categories listed below along with the name of each coordinator.

Legal Strategies Robert L. Muse Esq.,Washington, DC

Congressional Strategies, Dr. Cynthia McClintock, George Washington University Outreach to Academic Community, Dr. Wayne Smith, Johns Hopkins University

Contacts with the Administration Dr. Philip Brenner,American University

Each task force will be coordinated in Washington but will rely heavily on the input and efforts of ECDET members across the country.