Strategizing in an Era of Resource Constraints

2004 CONFERENCE FOR CHAIRS

Sponsored by the APSA Departmental Services Program Committee

The 2004 Conference for Political Science Department Chairs was dedicated to discussing the strategies available to chairs who are dealing with growing budget constraints. The themes of the conference included declining state budgets, surviving administrative mandates, tradeoffs of using adjuncts, and supporting professional development.

The Conference was a great success, drawing over 65 attendees to hear the five distinct presentations offering concrete suggestions for how to operate efficiently under a shrinking budget. Participants found the advice provided by panel discussants to be useful and informative.

The Departmental Services Committee mandated that the content of the 2004 Conference for Chairs be published in PS: Political Science and Politics in order to allow chairs who were unable to attend the meeting to access the same advice and information.

Look for the report on the 2004 Conference for Chairs in the January 2005 issue of PS!

Panel discussants included Susanne Rudolph, Susan Pharr, Michael Baer, Stephen Majeski, Shirley Geiger, Donald Baumer, and John Brehm.

At the end of the presentation and discussion, attendees were asked to give their input on next year's conference for chairs topic. If you would like to make a recommendation to the Departmental Services Committee for the 2005 topic, please email dsp@apsanet.org by April 1, 2005.

Conference Background
The APSA Conference for Department Chairs is held each year during the APSA Annual Meeting. These conferences are devoted to discussion of issues important to political science department chairs and are part of APSA's Departmental Services Program (DSP).

For information about APSA services for chairs and departments, visit www.apsanet.org/dsp.cfm or contact

Departmental Services Program
American Political Science Association
1527 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20036-1206
Phone: (202) 483-2512
Email: dsp@apsanet.org

Friday, September 3, 2004
12:00 - 2:00 PM
Location: Lake Ontario Room
Chicago Hilton

Panel Participants:
Susan Pharr, Chair, Harvard University and Chair, APSA DSC Committee

Michael Baer, American Council on Education; President, NCAPSA

Stephen Majeski, Chair, University of Washington