Place and Attendance

Seattle, Washington

Present: Larry Bartels, Cristina Beltran, Jeffrey Berry, Michael Brintnall, Yun-han Chu, Michael Desch, Luis Fraga, Christopher Gelpi, Mark Graber, Frances Hagopian, Simon Hix, Mala Htun, Evelyne Huber, Jeffery Isaac, Arthur Lupia, Thomas Mann, Joseph McCormick, Anne Norton, Julie Novkov, Laura Olson, Carole Pateman, Bingham Powell, Ronald Rogowski, Dara Strolovitch, and Laurel Weldon.

Absent: Sue Peterson

APSA staff: Jeffrey Biggs, Regina Chavis, Jennifer Diascro, Robert Hauck, Polly Karpowicz, Michael Marriott, Kimberly Mealy, Amanda Nover, Elizabeth Super, and Sean Twombly.

Guests: Adam Berinsky, Colin Elman, Ange-Marie Hancock, Jane Mansbridge, Kirstie McClure, Dianne Pinderhughes, and Michael Tomz.

Call to Order

A regular meeting of the American Political Science Association Council was held in Seattle, Washington, on August 31, 2011. The meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m. by President Pateman. President Pateman declared a quorum present.

Welcome and Report of the President

President Pateman welcomed everyone to Seattle. She noted that the association is in good shape. Despite a slight dip in membership, revenues have increased. She noted that Dr. Hauck was transitioning into retirement, and the council thanked him for his years of service to the profession and APSA.

She reported that as part of her visits with other associations, she has made a point of furthering our relations with international associations: she spoke at a plenary session at the Policy Studies Association (UK), and at the Canadian Political Science Association. She also noted her visit to the Western Political Science Association and the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute.

She highlighted a few topics on the council's agenda, following from initiatives during the preceding year: Michael Goodhart will present the final draft of the Task Force on Democracy, Economic Security, and Social Justice in a Volatile World; the ad hoc Committee on the Workable Solutions of to Advancing Women in the Profession is continuing to its work and has distributed a survey to departments; an APSA long-range planning process is at the starting point with a planning document for council discussion; the suggestion has surfaced for commissioning a report on APSA's history; and the search for a new editor of the American Political Science Review as reached a decision point.

She ended by congratulating Dr. Hix on his recent election to the British Academy.

February 12, 2011, Council Meeting Minutes

The minutes from the February 12, 2011, meeting were read and approved.

Report of the Executive Director

Dr. Brintnall introduced Betsy Super as an associate director and APSA fellow, who will work on international programs and task forces, and with some time reserved for her to continue her research; she will stay on for one year with a possible one year extension. The goal with the associate director position she is holding is to allow flexibility in staffing for future program assignments and to create a niche for young scholars who can both support APSA work and continue their scholarship.

Barbara Walthall has also joined the staff as managing editor of PS; he noted her record of experience in publishing and running her own theater company. He reported on an additional item that was just announced: the federal common IRB rules are changing soon and that APSA will work with COSSA on this issue and will keep the membership informed of the changes.

He ended by stating that it has been a privilege to work with President Pateman during her terms as president-elect and president. Dr. Brintnall noted her achievements and congratulated President Pateman on a successful year.

Budget and Investments

Ms. Chavis presented the proposed budget for the 2011–12 fiscal year. She noted that draws are not included, but if included, there would be a budget surplus of $29,000 with a net income of $253,000 in 2012. On a question regarding meeting attendance to New Orleans, she noted that projections for next year's meeting does take into account the prospect of a lower attendance.

Ms. Karpowicz responded to questions regarding the journals. She expects an increase in the journal revenue from putting our publishing contract out to bid; however, the final contract renewal with Cambridge University Press had not been finalized yet.

Dr. Lupia highlighted the promising state of APSA's investments and that their conservative strategy is structured for long-term growth and principle protection. It was noted that most of the funds are in US investments; Dr. Lupia noted that he and finance committee would review future investments into emerging markets.

President Pateman moved, “to approve the 2011–12 FY budget.” The motion was approved.

Registered Agent in the District of Columbia

Dr. Brintnall informed the council that APSA will contract with a D.C. vendor to serve as the association's registered agent to accept legal documents on APSA behalf in compliance with DC Corporation law. In consultation with our attorney, this move may be deferred however until the District approves new incorporation laws. No council member objected to this action.

Building Upgrades

Dr. Brintnall informed the council that the APSA building badly needed to replace the heating and cooling (HVAC) systems, and it was only a matter of time before the system would completely fail. Furthermore, since the HVAC replacement will require some construction, he wanted to move forward on a building renovation to expand the old executive director's office and make it into a large conference room, which he noted would cost between $100,000 to 200,000. He ended his presentation by asking advice from the council on whether APSA should also explore the idea of relocation and take advantage of any opportunities in the market.

The council briefly discussed possible scenarios for building construction and space. Dr. Weldon moved “to authorize the staff to improve the HVAC system.” The motion was approved. Dr. Weldon moved “to authorize the staff to review the construction and proceed if feasibility and costs remain as anticipated.” The motion was approved. Dr. Mann moved “to authorize the staff to review the possibility of selling the building.” The motion was approved.

Membership Report

Mr. Twombly reported that 40% of the members were attending the 2011 annual meeting. He stated that on the whole the membership is engaged but numbers are declining slightly. He believes that this could be due to the economic downturn and the changes in hiring in academia. He noted that APSA's membership model may need to change to reflect the new realities. He finished by reporting that there are approximately 14,000 members, and revenue remains steady because dues have increased slightly and members paying at the higher dues level are most likely to sustain membership.

The council discussed future growth in international members and other areas. It also was noted that membership is closely related to participation in and acceptance at the annual meeting, and that steps to enlarge the program, or to open slots on the program by reducing multiple or repeat participation could increase membership. The council asked Dr. Brintnall to work with the annual meeting committee review and analyze the membership and meeting participation data, including examining acceptance rates by organized section, and exploring where proposal submissions come from.

New Organized Section Proposal

Mr. Twombly updated the council on the development of a “green politics” section. They are still working towards meeting the minimum member threshold. APSA staff will continue to work with the organizers.

Development Activities

Mr. Twombly updated the council on the creation of a new APSA award for distinguished teaching. He noted the overwhelming response to the award. As of his reporting, APSA has received 41 pledges of $1,000. A new goal of $50,000 was established, which will better sustain the endowment over time. President-elect Powell will name the three-person committee members later in the fall.

Annual Meeting Updates

Dr. Hagopian reported on the annual meeting. There were 9,392 submitted proposals with the overall acceptance rate of 49%. There are 840 panels and over five thousand registered individuals. She noted that it was a great pleasure to work on the annual meeting, and she is excited about the program and conference.

Teaching and Learning Conference Updates

Dr. Mealy updated the council on the TLC. The 2011 meeting had 13 working groups and 20 workshops for the 226 attendees. The meetings theme titled “Making Sense of Politics and Political Science.” Regarding the 2012 meeting, held in Washington, DC, its program committee has been formed and the call for papers will be opened soon.

Report of the APSR Editor Search Ad Hoc Committee

President Pateman moved and the council agreed to move into executive session with the present guests allowed to stay for the purpose of discussing the report of the APSR editor search committee.

Upon moving out of executive session, President Pateman recognized the diversity of the team, who each have editorial experience, whose aim is to open the journal to work that crosses disciplinary, and sub-disciplinary, boundaries and to make it more accessible, and she moved “to approve the University of North Texas team as the next editor of the American Political Science Review.” The motion was approved.

Report of the Editors of the American Political Science Review

Dr. Rogowski presented the APSR report. He spoke on the long-term trends of the journal. He has noticed that submissions of American politics articles have declined and those in comparative politics have increased. There has been a rise in the number of good qualitative submissions. Overall, there is a steady increase in the total number of submissions and the number of new submitters.

He also noted that the journal's impact rating (Thomson-Reuters) has increased and, after a three-year hiatus, is now again the top-rated journal.

He finished his remarks by thanking the council and staff for its support and his editorial board. He will do his best at making the transition as smooth as possible.

Dr. Isaac led the council in thanking Dr. Rogowski for his efforts as editor of the journal.

Proposal for Journal Manuscript Categories and Tracking

On behalf of the publications committee, Ms. Karpowicz reported on the council's request to review the current manuscript categories. She welcomed the council's comments but noted that the committee would like to do further research and discussion before the list is finalized.

Council member discussed the issue at length and offered many recommendations that Ms. Karpowicz will report back to the committee.

Report of the Editor of PS: Political Science and Politics

Dr. Hauck gave the editor's report of the PS: Political Science and Politics. While he will continue as editor of PS for the immediate future, with his transition into retirement, he asked the council to consider the future of PS— such as its editorial model, format, and role among the other two journals. He will conduct a reader and author survey to better focus the journal. After his remarks, the council thanked Dr. Hauck for his service and editorship.

Update of the Editor of Perspectives on Politics

Dr. Isaac gave the editor's update of Perspective on Politics. He thanked the authors those published in the journal and those who are not. He noted that the journal is receiving good submissions from journal scholars. He noted that Perspectives is hosting a themed panel on immigration politics at the annual meeting. The council discussed with Dr. Isaac rates of summary rejection and use of external reviews in publication decisions, encouraging consideration of greater use of reviews in application of editorial discretion.

Report of the Ad Hoc Review Committee on the Editor of Perspectives on Politics

Dr. Brintnall explained the process for editorship terms in general, appointments are made for four years, with the prospect of a two year renewal, following a review. Isaac has requested the two year extension, and President Pateman had appointed a review committee. The committee report was very positive “giving its strongest endorsement” to Isaac's editorship.

President Patemen asked Dr. Isaac to leave the room while the council continued its discussion and to vote. Dr. Mann moved “to extend Dr. Isaac's term for two years.” The motion was approved, and Professor Isaac was welcomed back to the meeting with congratulations.

Contract Extension of the Executive Director

The executive director of the association is appointed for five year terms with possibility of renewal, and Dr. Brintnall is nearing the end of his second five-year term. He has requested a short renewal until the summer of 2013. President Pateman asked Dr. Brintnall to leave the room so the council could discuss and vote. President Pateman moved “to extend Dr. Brintnall's term until the summer of 2013.” The motion was approved. The council expressed its appreciation for his service.

Proposal for an APSA E-Journal

Dr. Lupia presented a proposal for an APSA e-journal, presently called the APSR Prime proposal. He noted that the guiding idea is to host 10 page articles with a clear beginning, middle, and end; in other words, the submissions will raise the question, document how you got there, and post solution. Also, the submission should follow transparency and replication guidelines. He hoped that this will promote more discussion and communication outside the political science circles. He noted that the Association for Psychological Science has successfully promoted, Psychological Science, a similar journal concept. He welcomed the council's comments.

Council members expressed their support of the idea and offered some advice and points to consider. Some members were concerned that writers may be deterred by the journal's rigid guidelines such as manuscript's length limits. Also, council members asked about the journal's costs and if there would be a fee to view the articles. Because the Internet allows a greater freedom of information and ideas, Dr. Lupia reiterated that this cannot follow the same system of publishing as traditional journals.

Overall, the council members supported the idea and believed that there is virtue in the faster online approach than the traditional publishing schedule for posting research articles.

After a lengthy discussion, President Pateman asked Dr. Lupia to continue work on the proposal and include a cost-analysis plan for the council to consider at its next meeting.

Journal Subscription Format Choice

Dr. Brintnall presented the publication committee's report on journal format choice. The committee recommended that the council allow members to opt-out of receiving the hardcopies, and, since the cost of publishing the journal would only be slightly reduced, the committee also recommended that there be no reduction in dues for members who choose to opt-out.

Council members noted that certain journals may be adversely affected. The council also noted that it would like to see the journals available on more digital devices, which Ms. Karpowicz noted that APSA and Cambridge are working on.

The committee proposal allows for members to opt in and out of print copies of each the three APSA journal titles individually. Dr. Weldon moved “to amend the committee's report to strike ‘available individually for each’ and insert ‘for all.’” The motion failed.

The committee's proposal to allow “subscription format choice, available individually for each title, and without any differential in dues” was approved.

Dr. Brintnall noted that the staff will need to make a few system programming changes, and he hopes to have this implemented in the near future; and that he will report back to the council on supplementary matters, such as ways whether to transition to opt-in in the future; whether to require new members to receive paper copies for their first year; and other options.

State of the Discipline Series

Ms. Karpowicz presented the publications committee's report on the State of the Discipline series. Its last edition sold approximately 1,600 copies over the last decade. The council discussion noted that since State of the Discipline has been published many other vehicles have emerged to provide an intellectual record of the discipline; however, the State of the Discipline series may no longer be necessary. Members commented that other venues, such as one the journals, could begin to record the state of the discipline, and it could be published more frequently. Ms. Karpowicz said that she will report council member's comments back to the committee.

Proposal from the Data Access and Research Transparency Group

Drs. Skip Lupia and Colin Elman presented a proposal from the Data Access and Research Transparency group to amend APSA's ethics guide. Dr. Olson moved “to refer the proposal to the ethics committee” for proposals for action. The motion was approved.

Report of the APSA Task Force on Democracy, Economic Security, and Social Justice in a Volatile World

Dr. Goodhart, chair of the task force, presented the task force report to the council. President Pateman thanked Dr. Goodhart for his work on the task force and noted that the task force will also have a plenary panel during the annual meeting. To give the council more time to review the report, the council will approve the report later in the spring.

Report of the APSA Task Force on Political Science in the 21st Century

Dr. Fraga, co-chair of the task force, presented the task force report to the council. Dr. Pinderhughes was present, and she thanked Dr. Fraga and the task force members for their work.

Dr. Weldon moved “that the council accept the report.” The motion was approved.

Update of the APSA Task Force on Electoral Rules and Democratic Governance: Context and Consequences

President-elect Powell updated the council on the task force. He noted that the group has several meetings schedule, and they hope to have a final draft report prepared for the council to review in a year.

APSA Standing Committee Appointments

Dr. Graber moved “to approve President-elect Powell's committee nominations.”

The motion was approved.

Report of the Committee on Professional Ethics, Rights, and Freedoms

Dr. Biggs presented the ethics committee's report. The first committee recommendation is to amend the APSA's ethics guide by inserting the phrase “actual or perceived” in the Statement on Nondiscrimination in Employment (section 25) and before the passage that identifies the groups against which discrimination is prohibited.

The committee also recommended that this language also be regarded as a matter of policy for the APSA council rather than for the ethics committee, and that the council retains the initiative in referring such questions as they arise to the appropriate committees.

Dr. Mann moved “that the council approve the committee's report and recommendation.” The motion was approved.

Proposal to Amend APSA Award Policy

Dr. Brintnall presented a proposal to amend the APSA award policy. He noted that the council clarified the policy regarding choosing multiple recipients for an APSA award. Nevertheless, several committees came forward with multiple names that disregarded the council's intent. Some council members questioned the policy of limiting the award to one person. Dr. Brintnall noted that awarding it to multiple people would split the award honorarium, and the prestige of winning the award could begin to decline.

Dr. Brintnall moved “to amend the award policy by inserting ‘Awards should be conferred on only one individual or group, except under exceptional circumstances and with the endorsement of the APSA president. There will be no honorable mentions.’” The proposal was approved.

Centennial Center For Political Science & Public Affairs

Dr. Brintnall updated the council on the Centennial Center program. After an initial review, he presented that the center has been significantly underutilized and that it APSA should rethink the Washington-based focus of the center. To revamp the center, he has assigned leadership of the center to Dr. Biggs, who also is responsible of the CFP.

Council members asked about marketing and promotion attempts. Dr. Brintnall will take this into consideration and will continue further review of the center, including freeing resources to support scholars elsewhere.

APSA International Workshops

Dr. Super updated the council on the Africa workshop, which she said had another successful year, this time at the University of Nairobi. A second generous grant from the Mellon Foundation will cover additional workshops through 2014; after which, the steering committee recommends the project should not continue as it was not intended to be a long-term project.

Dr. Super continued by noting that APSA wishes to replicate the project in the Arab Middle East and is currently looking for external funding. She noted that the main difference between the two workshop formats is that the Middle East workshops may be hosted at one institution for multiple years. She noted that this will help to predict and control expenses.

Community College Faculty

Dr. Brintnall solicited advice from the council regarding ways to engage community college faculty. The council spoke about ways the Teaching and Learning Conference could engage, and the current situation of faculty at for-profit colleges. It was noted that the administrative committee requested a survey of community college faculty to assess their needs.

APSA Historical Archive

Dr. Brintnall presented an idea to better document APSA's history and the possibility of commissioning a history. Council members liked the idea of having a history of the association commissioned.

AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition

Dr. Biggs reported on the continued relationship between APSA and AAAS. He highlighted AAAS's Scholars at Risk, a program that monitors academic freedom violations. Dr. Biggs, on behalf of the association, has sent 10 letters to foreign governments regarding potential violations of human rights.

President Pateman stated that this is a worthwhile endeavor and APSA should continue its involvement.

National Research Council (NRC) Ranking System

At the council's request at its last meeting, Dr. Brintnall sent a letter to the NRC regarding its exclusion of monograph productions in their ranking scheme for social science departments. In a frank conversation, a NRC representative stated that they currently do not have a database established with this information and that they do not have the funds to do this research now.

Update from the Ad Hoc Committee on the Public Understanding of Political Science

Dr. Diascro reported that the committee is continuing its work, and they have a rough draft of their report. They plan to have a final report prepared for the council at its next meeting.

International Political Science Association (IPSA) Update

Dr. Brintnall reported that Helen Milner is likely to become IPSA's next president following the next summer's world congress in Madrid. IPSA has also moved to holding their meetings to every two years.

APSA Planning

Dr. Brintnall asked the council for advice on moving APSA planning forward. At the suggestion of the administrative committee, it was advised that a member survey be conducted.

Dr. Novkov moved “to authorize a survey of the membership.” The motion was approved.

New Business

No new business was brought to the attention of the council.

Adjournment

With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. President-elect Powell thanked President Pateman and presented her with a gift.