Edited by author 09-09-2007 09:45 PM
First, I want to applaud the committee for all its hard work. I can see all the time and energy that went into these proposals.
Here are some of my thoughts.
1. Regarding the scheduling of the conference - while I agree that Labor Day weekend may not be optimal, I would strongly caution against moving the conference to later in September. As an Orthodox Jew and a proud APSA member, I am worried that moving the conference would conflict with the numerous Jewish holidays in September. The Midwest conference has numerous times been on or during the Passover holidays. Perhaps moving it even later in the year (mid to late October) would work better. I also think airfare would be cheaper when not traveling around a holiday.
2. I also agree on some detailed feedback as to why proposals are rejected. This would ensure that issues that caused a proposal to be rejected one year are not repeated the next year. On the same note, I think APSA should do more to encourage and accept the proposals of newer scholars. I am a recent PhD and while I have submitted proposals for several years, I have yet to be accepted. Some feedback on why would be nice as would some encouragement as I try and make my way in the discipline.
3. I also have a concern about site selection for the annual conferences. In the last 10 years I have been to Boston twice (and next year will be the third time), yet the conference has yet to be held in NYC. Each year I am told it is too expensive. Perhaps this could be investigated more. I also think the conference needs to move west of the Mississippi River.
Overall, I enjoy coming to the meeting. It allows me to keep up on what is new and network with other people in my field.
Again, good job to the committee members.