2003 APSA Political Communication Division Business Meeting, Philadelphia, PA

Section chair Holli Semetko called the business meeting to order. The minutes of the last meeting were approved.

APSA Business

Vice chair Jarol Manheim reported on APSA business.

Panel allocation for APSA conferences is based not just on attendance, but also on other priorities. These include priority for sections with the fastest growth in membership and those with low paper acceptance rates.

The APSA has instituted a new computer system that will allow sections to set differential dues rates for graduate students who register online. The new system also provides for journal subscription at the same time as membership renewal. The new change should facilitate increased volume of journal subscribers.

APSA also is interested in increased ties with international organizations. Any person interested in suggesting links with certain organizations should contact APSA.

Lee Sigelman will serve one more year as editor of American Political Science Review.

Report on the 2003 Meeting

Program chair Diana Owen reported on the APSA program. She noted there had been 184 paper and 16 panel submissions. She was allocated 14 panels and 14 posters. She encouraged attendance at poster sessions. A large number of papers were rejected this year. The section co-sponsored six panels with other sections.

Treasurer's Report

Secretary/Treasurer Richard Davis gave the treasurer's report. The balance in the section checking account at the end of the fiscal year (6/30/03) was $7, 693.16. Revenues for the period were $5, 616.27 and originated from APSA section dues and the sales of the journal. Expenses were $6, 056.52. Expenses incurred included the business meeting reception, the pre-APSA conference at the Kennedy School of Government, awards, and the maintenance of the section's web site.

Journal Editor's Report

Journal editor David Paletz reported on the progress of the journal. He announced that subscription to the journal had remained constant and the editorial board had considered 150 manuscripts during the last year. He encouraged submission of proposals for special issues as well as article manuscripts. In addition, he urged reviewers to submit manuscript reviews in a timely fashion.

Nominating Committee Report

Nominating Committee chair Mark Wattier gave the nominating committee report. The committee recommended the following slate of officers: Jarol B. Manheim, chair; Shanto Iyengar, vice chair; Scott L. Althaus, program chair for 2005; Richard Davis, secretary-treasurer; and Diana Owen and Roderick P. Hart as at large members of the executive committee. The committee also recommended members of the section award committees as follows: The Murray Edelman Distinguished Career Award committee - Sidney Kraus, Kathleen Hall Jamieson, and Thomas E. Patterson; the Doris Graber Outstanding Book Award Committee - Michael X. Delli Carpini, Ellen Mickiewicz, and Stephen C. Craig; the Paul Lazarsfeld Best Paper Award Committee - John Havick, Patricia Moy, and Kenneth Goldstein; and the Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Committee - Sharon E. Jarvis, Christina Holtz-Bacha; and Dietram A. Scheufele.

The report was accepted by the section.

Mark Wattier recommended Cherie Strachan follow him as nominating committee chair. The section approved the recommendation.

Holli Semetko then discussed the role of the Young Scholars Committee. She said that Amy Jesperson had recommended Ken Rogerson as her replacement as chair of the committee. However, Ken Rogerson had not been approached about accepting the position and was not present at the meeting.

Awards

The awards were given by the section chair and the chairs of the respective award committees. Lance Bennett was awarded the Murray Edelman Distinguished Career Award. Marion Just, Ann Crigler, Dean Alger, Tim Cook, Montague Kern, and Darrell West were awarded the Doris Graber Outstanding Book Award. Matthew Baum was awarded the Paul Lazarsfeld Best Paper Award.

Holli Semetko explained that the graduate student paper award was not given due to a misunderstanding of the committee. She announced it would not be awarded at the meeting. However, this year's award will be made next year. Graduate students should nominate themselves.

Discussion

Holli Semetko asked for discussion from the floor about the pre-conference. Jarol Manheim asked whether the name of the pre-conference should be changed in order to allay concerns that presentation at the conference is not worthy of a department's funding.

The gavel was turned over to Jarol Manheim.

The meeting was adjourned.

Submitted by Richard Davis