PTS Meeting Times

I would like to start a discussion about our current arrangements for meeting at the APA. My impression is that we invariably get stuck with the worst possible time slots (like Saturday evenings), which makes for rather low attendance at our talks. Why can't we get a different time slot, or at least have the APA rotate us with other societies that now meet at more attractive times?

Comments

[Nathan Oaklander]

I received this from the APA secretary. What do you think would be a good time to meet?

Time Slots. In order to aid your planning, I list the time slots below for each day of the meeting. As usual, some are two hours long and some are three hours long. Please note that the time slots this year are different from usual; this is because the Eastern Division is hosting the Carus Lectures, which are required to be plenary sessions.

Thursday, December 27: 6:30-9:30 p.m.: Regular Session I

Friday, December 28: 9:00-11:00 a.m.: Regular Session II
11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m.: Regular Session III
1:30-2:30 p.m.: Carus Lecture I
2:45-5:45 p.m.: Regular Session IV
6:00-8:00 p.m.: Group Session
8:15-11:15 p.m.: Group Session

Saturday, December 29: 9:00-11:00 a.m.: Regular Session V
11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m.: Business Meeting
1:30-2:30 p.m.: Carus Lecture II
2:45-5:45 p.m.: Regular Session VI
6:00-7:15 p.m.: Presidential Address
8:00-11:00 p.m.: Group Session

Sunday, December 30: 9:00-11:00 a.m.: Regular Session VII
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Carus Lecture III
1:30-4:30 p.m.: Regular Session VIII

“Group Session” designates a session solely devoted to meetings of groups (and, if you choose, APA committees). “Regular Session” designates a session that includes main program events. You may request Regular Session times, and I will honor as many of these requests as possible; but in these cases the main program must be accommodated first. (Note, however, that Regular Sessions I and II will have only a small number of main program sessions, and the chances of your getting these times if you request them are high.) You may also ask for a session to be scheduled during the Business Meeting; no main program sessions are scheduled at this time, but group sessions are permitted. You may not, however, hold sessions concurrently with the Carus Lectures (see above) or the Presdential Address.

[Ulrich Meyer]

Thanks for following up on this, Nathan. I would be in favor of getting a slot during Regular Session II (9:00-11:00 a.m. on Friday), provided there is indeed little competition from the main program at this time. Why don't we try this next time and see whether we get a better crowd than on Saturday evening?

[Adrian Bardon]

Is there a reason why we shouldn't try for regular sessions IV and VI, which are really primetime?

[Ernani Magalhaes]

I would second the sentiment for sessions IV and VI.

[Ernani Magalhaes]

A couple other things: The request for a time slot is due May 31. And, as far as I can tell, our request would not get any special consideration if it is received earlier than that time.

[Nathan Oaklander]

I would like trying something other than Saturday and Friday evening too. So how about:
1. Regular Session II
2. Regular Session V
And then
3. Session IV Friday, Group Session 8:00 – 10:00.

[Nathan Oaklander]

Perhaps even a better time would be during the business meeting:

Saturday December 29: 11:15-1:15 p.m.

[Adrian Bardon]

The business meeting time is ok, except for the lunch conflict...I would make that time a secondary choice after Regular sessions II and V.

[Nathan Oaklander]

OK, let's go with Regular II and V as first choices.