A Message from the Chair
Stacey M. Whitecotton
Arizona State University
Greetings ABO section members! I want to take this opportunity to update you about recent and upcoming activities in our section.
Several months ago, you were asked to vote on two proposed changes to our by-laws. The first was a procedural change to allow dues changes to be made via electronic voting (with a 2/3 majority). Although we have no intention of increasing dues at this point, this change will allow it to be done in a more timely and efficient manner if and when the need arises. The second change was to move the official business meeting to coincide with the mid-year research conference rather than the annual meeting. The goal is to foster greater participation in our section from those most interested in behavioral research.
Both of these changes were approved by the vast majority of members voting and will take effect immediately. Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote on these issues. As a result of the second change, we will not hold an official business meeting at the AAA this year. Instead, the section will host a cocktail reception (tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, August 10 from 5:00 – 6:00) to recognize the outgoing officers and provide an opportunity for our members to interact in a less formal environment. All other activities (e.g. recognition of the outstanding dissertation award winner, etc) will take place at the research conference in October.
Christine Early and Jennifer Joe have spent the past several months putting together an excellent program of ABO papers to be presented at concurrent sessions at the AAA. A summary of papers and presenters is included in this newsletter.
I am also pleased to announce the results of the most recent officer elections. Stacy Kovar (Kansas State University) was elected as the incoming Chair. Anne Magro (University of Oklahoma) will serve as the new secretary/treasure, and Penelope Sue Greenberg (Widener University) was elected as Vice Chair-Regions. Congratulations and thanks to all of the individuals who agreed to devote their time and energy to our section by running for one of these important positions.
Congratulations also to Brooke Elliott of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the winner of the 2004 ABO Outstanding Dissertation Award. Brooke’s dissertation abstract is included in this issue of the Reporter.
I recently asked faculty who teach behaviorally oriented Ph.D. seminars to share their syllabus/readings list with us via the section website. I know that having this type of resource would have been very valuable to me several years ago when I was asked to teach a Ph.D. seminar for the first time. The link to the syllabi is http://business.baylor.edu/Charles_Davis/abo/syllabi.htm. As you will see from my own syllabus, I borrowed very heavily from generous colleagues who shared their syllabus with me and I am hoping that others will benefit from this resource. Thanks so much to all of you who agreed to share your materials with us.
Finally, I would like to invite you all to consider submitting a paper to the research conference that will be held in Chicago in October (submission deadline July 1). For me, the research conference always proves to be a wonderful experience because it is a great opportunity to interact with a fairly small group of people who share a common interest in behavioral research. Although it is always difficult to squeeze a few days into the fall semester, this year’s conference location and timing should make it quite enjoyable, so please try to join us!
Have a wonderful summer and I hope to see you all in Orlando in August and Chicago in October! |
