September 2024
September 4, 2024, APSA Council Meeting
PRESENT:
Mark Warren, University of British Columbia, President
Taeku Lee, Harvard University, President-Elect
Lisa Martin, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Past-President
Sara W. Goodman, University of California, Irvine, Treasurer
James Druckman, Northwestern University, Vice President
Cameron Thies, Michigan State, Vice President
Lilly Goren, Carroll University, Vice President
Council members: Alice Kang, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Alison M. McCartney, Towson University; Aseem Prakash, University of Washington; Bassel Salloukh, Doha Institute; Candis Watts Smith, Duke University; Christina Schneider, University of California, San Diego; Costas Panagopolous, Northeastern University; Daniel Nielson, University of Texas at Austin; Eileen Hunt, University of Notre Dame; Erica Townsend-Bell, Oklahoma State University; Jason Casellas, University of Houston; Julia Azari, Marquette University; Khalilah Brown-Dean, Wesleyan University (virtual); Leigh Jenco, London School of Economics; Lilly Goren, Carroll University; Mary McHugh, Merrimack College; Michael Goodhart, University of Pittsburgh (virtual); Pearl Dowe, Emory University; Raymond Foxworth, University of New Mexico; Sara Mitchell, University of Iowa; Scott Desposato, University of California, San Diego; Shatema Threadcraft, Vanderbilt University; Susan McWilliams Barndt, Pomona College; Tamir Moustafa, Simon Fraser University; Terri Givens, McGill University
APSA Staff: Steven Rathgeb Smith, Kimberly Mealy, Michelle Allendoerfer, Dan Gibson, Jon Gurstelle, Casey Harrigan, Clarissa Westphal Nogueira, Brenna Dames, Alejandra Sampson
OPENING REMARKS
APSA President calls the 2024 APSA Fall Council Meeting to order.
APSA President opened the meeting, emphasizing the importance of clear communication between council members and the broader APSA community, especially with upcoming action items and decisions regarding the commission report on annual planning.
CONSENT AGENDA
APSA President moves to present the agenda to council.
Warren moves to approve the consent agenda; McCartney seconds and the motion is approved unanimously.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Warren reflected on APSA’s growth and current global issues affecting the organization. He expressed gratitude for APSA’s leadership team and highlighted new initiatives like the task force and mini-panels, which foster scholarly community and interdisciplinary discussions.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Steven Smith reflected on his tenure with APSA, highlighting key achievements in financial sustainability, despite recent global challenges, including the pandemic. He celebrated the association’s diversified revenue streams, record-breaking membership numbers, and increased Annual Meeting attendance, all of which have bolstered new initiatives. Smith also recognized staff transitions, expressing gratitude for the exceptional leadership of departing team members Ashley Vande Bunte and Meghan McConaughey. He warmly welcomed incoming Executive Director Kimberly Mealy, commending her vital contributions to APSA’s work and expressing confidence in her leadership moving forward.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Goodman reported that APSA’s financial health is sound, with strategic investments yielding positive returns. The recent focus on sustainable financial practices and operational leaner budgets has strengthened APSA’s financial position.
GRAPH GROUP PROPOSAL
The GRAPH Group proposal was reviewed, with minor amendments to address resource allocation and compliance with APSA’s bylaws.
Council member asked about potential resource strain, which Smith clarified was no longer an issue with APSA’s expanded capacity for related groups.
Council member inquired about ongoing monitoring, and Harrigan explained the process of membership tracking for all affiliated groups.
Warren motioned to approve, seconded by McCartney. The proposal passed unanimously.
SAGE/CQ PRESS AWARD PROPOSAL
Executive Director outlined a new teaching innovation award proposed by Sage/CQ Press, with eligibility criteria reviewed by APSA’s Membership Committee.
Council member raised concerns over the necessity of both a personal statement and nomination letter, while another council member argued both provide valuable context.
Council member queried APSA’s responsibility in approving awards from external entities, to ensure alignment with APSA’s mission.
Amendments:
-
1. Clarify eligibility is for “political scientists”
-
2. Add “non-partisan” before “strategies”
-
3. Clarify that work should be consistent with APSA mission
-
4. Addition that the committee is appointed by APSA President and Executive Director
-
5. Award committee’s final decision is reviewed by the Executive Committee
Vote: A motion to approve the proposal with amendments was moved by Desposato, seconded by McCartney, and passed with a majority vote. 2 nays.
ANNUAL MEETING DISCUSSION
Council discussed improved communication for better crisis responsiveness.
Council member suggested establishing a communication channel for council members, possibly through technology like WhatsApp, to aid in real-time decision-making. Jenco seconds and requests a SharePoint is implemented so that committee meetings minutes and relevant information is shared and kept easily accessible to all council members.
Council member proposed assigning a dedicated council role to oversee annual meeting coordination, ensuring that council members are well-informed in crisis situations.
Council member suggests the council considers one or two council members be selected based on expertise, with a different selection process and rolling terms, so that they can address meeting and conferences issues and act as liaison between the committee and council.
Council members discussed adding an FAQ page on APSA’s website for transparency, as suggested by Smith’s proposal.
Warren suggests the discussion is referred back to the executive committee and asks that Lee and Mealy develop a plan of action, taking into account the days discussion, and that a document with a detail plan is presented at the December council meeting.
SITING
Council member led a review of APSA’s siting policy, noting restrictions based on unionized labor that limit meeting locations to high-cost coastal cities.
Council member advocated for revisiting siting policies with a stronger focus on environmental sustainability.
Council members expressed support for balancing union requirements with more cost-effective and accessible city options.
Executive Director noted the possibility of exploring sites that support minority-owned businesses, like Atlanta or New Orleans, while respecting union labor standards.
LATINO SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Mealy presented updates to eligibility criteria for the APSA Fund for Latino Scholarship application, which now includes as the main eligibility requirement that applicants to be scholars conducting research relevant to the Latino/a Politics. APSA will also include additional related criteria. APSA will enhance its recruitment efforts for applicants and will continue program evaluation efforts in accordance with the DOE and DOJ guidance. These steps align with federal non-discrimination law, while preserving the fund’s original mission. APSA has been in conversation with members of the APSA Committee on the Status of Latinos and Latinas in the Profession and the APSA Latino/a Caucus throughout this process.
Council member, a past recipient, thanked APSA for continuing to prioritize diversity-focused funding amid rising legal challenges.
Council member recommended using “lived experience” language to broaden eligibility.
Mealy added that additional language was introduced last summer, as well as an additional question to allow participants to describe their experience, which helps the applicant and the reviewing committee.
DISABILITY COMMITTEE UPDATE
Dames updated council on the Disability Committee’s activities, including responses to an open letter from members concerned about committee composition.
Council member commended the committee’s transparency and the open FAQ response to address concerns from the letter.
Council member asked if further follow-up with the concerned members might be possible, but Dames confirmed that those who were comfortable sharing their identities had been contacted directly.
COUNCIL CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY
McConaughey introduced a confidentiality policy, developed in response to past breaches. After adding clarifications, the policy was approved unanimously to ensure responsible communication practices.
Council member raised questions about how the policy applies to public meetings, while Hunt pointed out the importance of transparency in online meeting contexts.
Warren motioned to approve, Hunt seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
CHILDCARE AND CAREGIVING AT MEETINGS
Council discussed re-establishing on-site childcare services with strong support for childcare options that make APSA’s events more accessible.
Council member emphasized the burden placed on members who must arrange care in unfamiliar cities when on-site options are unavailable.
Council member asked about shared-cost models to make on-site childcare financially feasible.
Executive Director agreed to explore potential providers and cost structures, with options to be presented by December in hopes that updated childcare services are available for the 2025 Annual Meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Council member suggested exploring reduced membership fees for early-career faculty.
Council member raised the need for re-establishing the Finance Committee to support long-term financial priorities.
President-elect Taeku Lee expressed deep gratitude and humility upon assuming his new role. He outlined his presidency’s task force will focus on higher education and announced the 2025 Annual Meeting theme, “Reimagining Politics, Power, and Peoplehood in Crisis Times.” Co-chaired by Tatishe Nteta and Christian Dyogi Phillips, this theme aims to inspire critical reflection and innovative dialogue on pressing challenges. Lee extended heartfelt thanks to outgoing Executive Director Steven Smith for his leadership and warmly welcomed Kimberly Mealy, as incoming Executive Director, effective September 16, 2024—affirming his full confidence in her stewardship moving forward.
Incoming Executive Director Kimberly Mealy expressed gratitude to council members and staff for their trust and support, sharing her deep admiration for the association and its mission. She thanked Steven Smith for his exceptional leadership and enduring contributions, acknowledging the foundation he has built. Mealy emphasized her enthusiasm for advancing the association’s strategic plan and fostering its continued growth and impact.
Meeting adjourned.
