2005 Final Business Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
President Brian Wiegmann called the meeting to order at 3:45 p.m. with 31 people in attendance and approximately an additional 10 who wandered in during meeting.
Approval of Minutes from Preliminary Meeting
The minutes were scrolled for the membership to read for several minutes. Quentin Fang: Rejection (not acceptance) rate 36%; Walter will replace John as editor-in-chief. Floyd Shockley moved to accept minutes with revisions; Q. Fang second. The minutes with revisions were approved unanimously.
Standing Committee Reports
Membership (Floyd Shockley)
Few additional notes: many people at this meeting with 10+ year member pins, next year will have 5 yr pins (recognizing younger members); changing late fee structure, but not sure how yet, might implement trial by 2007, will have to go through the governing board; resumé posting service for students and postdoctorates can be done cheaply so will go forward, need to make info secure but accessible, Floyd will draw up committee charge; most work done outside of meeting, will engage section and branch reps more directly for assistance; appeal for any suggestions for membership committee to pursue relevant to membership.
Program Committee
Symposia, great participation in all symposia, with 50-100 attendees in each, despite some Section-contributed papers concurrent:
Program symposia
Open Access Web Register - Sun pm
Welcome to the phallic cult -Sun am
Section symposia
mentors – 70-100
cerambycids – 50-70
blinded by science – 80-100
Heraty: Can meetings be staggered to accommodate Section- and taxon-specific mixers? [Secretary note: missed the gist of this suggestion]
Wiegmann: Thanks to all moderators, organizers, judges
Next year's possible program symposia:
Insect Conservation Biology, endangered species, endangered habitats (John Losey, Section C); Genomics of Insect Symbionts (Kambampati and Moran – had been withdrawn this year); Diversity and Evolutionary Ecology of Pollinators
Multiple Section-sponsored program symposia have better shot at PEF
Deadline February 1
Possible Section symposia
Atol projects, org by grad students
insect fossils and molecular divergence time estimation (Wiegmann and Hauser)
Symposia showcasing PEET projects
Nuclear genes for insect systematics: practical and theoretical concerns
Character evolution ancestral state reconstruction: new methods
Deadline March 6
Publications Reports
Publication Council (John Oswald )
Journal Reports:
Standard reports, journals generally doing well
Discussion of ways to increase submissions to Arthropod Management Tests
Say monograph series publications limited by financial return from endowment to ca. 1 monograph per year
taking this publication digital might increase turn around and increase number of issues
production of monographs on CD discussed, particularly as a way to avoid limitations imposed by current ICZN on digital publication of new names and nomenclatural acts
nothing formalized
Handbook Series:
last 4 ESA pest control handbooks are in print or nearing publication
as a cost saving measure, ESA is largely getting out of the business of producing such handbooks in the future
Aedes nomenclature use in Journal of Medical Entomology:
A recent culicid taxonomic paper elevated many genus-group names formerly used in the genus Aedes at the rank of subgenus to full genus
This has changed the names of many medically important mosquitoes species and has caused considerable controversy in the community about what names should be used for such species; some authors have adopted the new names, others have ignored them
In response to this controversy, JME Editor and Editorial Board published a note in JME recommending use of the older names, but permitting use of new names, also recommended citation of both names for clarity
Published note was circulated to pubs council members; section A members (Oswald & Woolley) pointed out that note comes dangerously close to editorial interference in freedom of authors to use the scientific name each deemed appropriate on scientific grounds
Discussion of importance of permitting changes in names as systematics knowledge of group improves
Although JME Editor sought advice from its Editorial Board and mosquito taxonomists prior to publishing the note, the note has potentially broader implications for editorial control of nomenclature in other journals, e.g. it could be used as a precedent for similar statements for other journals
because pubs council is charged with setting editorial policy across all ESA journals; text of note should have been reviewed by pubs council prior to publication
Considerable discussion followed about how to prevent formal policy statements that have broader implications for other ESA journals from being made by individual journals without first receiving input from the pubs council
Important discussion for section A members as it involves fundamental questions of editorial policy that control freedom of individuals to adopt and use in ESA journals the names that they believe to be appropriate
Rapid Communication vs. Rapid Publication
J. Med. Ent. Has policy for “Rapid Communication” – involves publication of short articles (<2000) words and of timely interest, such articles receive expedited review and publication and are published in a separate “Rapid Communication” section of journal and authors pay double page charges
Question: should “Rapid Communications” be permitted in other ESA journals and how would this be differentiated from simple “Rapid Publication” in which an author simply pays double to receive expedited review and publication
After considerable discussion, pubs council approved extension of “Rapid Communication” articles to all journals, and rejected the possibility of “Rapid Publication” for all journals
Effect on section A members: rapid publication of articles in exchange for higher page charges, which is a service offered by some other entomological journals, is not available in ESA journals, except for short articles for which a case for expedited publication can be made based on the time sensitivity of the information contained in the article
Consideration of New Models for Publication of ESA Journals
Current contract with Cadmus for publishing ESA Journal expires in not too distant future
Governing Board will look at all options for future publication of ESA journals, including possibility of publishing journals through a commercial publisher
ESA currently has one unsolicited proposal from one commercial publisher, will be seeking proposals from others; will also be seeking proposals from other businesses (like Cadmus) which would not represent a transition to a fully commercial publication model
No decision has been made to change the current model, but all options will be examined by governing board, as is appropriate to permit evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of different publication models and options
Considerable discussion of possible advantages and disadvantages of commercial publication of ESA journals
Some advantages: (1) elimination of page charges, (2) possibility of increasing journal subscriptions, particularly in Asia, (3) possibility of pre-publication of articles in digital form, (4) possibility of attracting more/better papers to journal because of no page charges
Some disadvantages: (1) possible limitations on ability to purchase open access reprints, (2) probable major reductions in access control to information published in journals, (3) substantial increased cost of journals to libraries, possibly resulting in reduced subscriptions, (4) possible page limitations on journals, (5) major philosophical change from current general ESA policy of permitting open access to information 2 years after publication
Discussions at editorial boards have generally not favored moving to a fully commercial model
Distribution of Page Waiver Funds
ESA Governing Board currently allocates an equal amount of funds to each journal to use for funding page waivers in each journal
$3,800 allocated in 2005
Not all journals use their full allotment each year
Annals always uses its full allotment ($3800), plus its additional allotment from the C. P. Alexander Fund ($2200 in 2005)
Discussion of how to make better use of funds allocated by governing board for use in page waivers
Publications Council approved a motion to the Governing Board that future allocations of page charge waiver funds to the journals be allocated based on a model that incorporates the historical trend of need demonstrated by each journal, rather than simply by equal shares
If approved by the governing board, this change would generally benefit the Annals and Section A members by making more funds available for page charge waivers in the Annals
Web Site Peer Review
Issue raised before pubs council for the first time, with the intent of giving members a heads up of proposal that will be coming out of section A and going to the governing board that will request that the pubs council more formally consider this issue
Substantial general discussion of idea
Broad general interest in considering issues; general acknowledgement of potential benefits of web site review process for society members
Thomas Say Publications (Joe McHugh)
Funds with Entomological Foundation $2,000 - $3,000 per year, allowing about 1 monograph per year; in 2005 1 came out, 1 coming next month, 3 in works, meaning we may have through 2009 locked up; Say editorial board discussed whether pub rate could be increased, because there's little incentive with a 3 year or more delay. Question whether series could publish in color, but will raise cost, which would hvave to be covered by author; Susan Weller and Rebecca Simmons authors of forthcoming pub.
Other Reports
Governing Board (Jackie Miller)
- Polled attendees as to how many attended restructuring meeting? 4; info on restructuring on website; preliminary polls seem favorable; still time for feedback on proposal, but not much; issues with 'evolution' being too broad, but didn't want to be too specific; people concerned with where they fit; proposal is big picture, still room for altering details; survey form still on web - get in touch with your representatives; at this point will go forward incorporating comments as arise.
- Blackwell proposal to assist with journals has prompted some concern, still getting additional proposals, but would like to get feedback from members on other publishers;
- Murray Eisman: ICE 2012 John Trumble (President) and Tim Paine (local arrangements chair), cosponsor with Pacific Branch, Mexican Entomological Society, British Entomological Society, and Canadian Entomological Society, in San Diego, in July; agenda brief will be available before summer 2006 Governing Board meeting.
- Budget passed today: slightly higher ('negative') than planned; marketing certification project added to budget, as is additional program chair support; will be revised in light of annual meeting proceeds.
- Brett Ratcliffe: Will we meet in Ft. Lauderdale again? Jackie: probably not [didn't catch why]. Member of Rothschild family had bad experience with Embassy Suites, with rates not matching quote; logistics not entirely streamlined since hurricane; wireless turned out not to be available; infrastructure here still in rough shape; yet convention hall was free of charge, making it very attractive to do it again.
Old Business
John Oswald: (1) Move that Section A form a Website Peer Review Committee to discuss and advance the idea of implementing a formal website peer review process within ESA. The committee would be charged with drafting a proposal to the ESA Governing Board, on behalf of Section A, requesting that this issue be formally examined by any appropriate ESA committees, councils, or other society bodies. The initial membership of the committee will be John Oswald (chair), Steve Ashe, Alma Solis, Catherine Duckett, Ian Stocks and Floyd Shockley. The committee may add or delete members at its discretion. Jackie Miller seconded the motion. All in favor; motion passed.
(2) Move that Section A form a Systematic Resources Committee to discuss, develop, promote and facilitate access to resources of value to Section A members. The committee is specifically charged to work with appropriate ESA personnel to develop a website hosted by ESA that contains information on key resources of interest to Section A members. The initial membership of the committee will consist of the Section A members of the former ESA Standing Committee on Systematics Resources. The committee may add or delete members at its discretion. Dave Furth seconded the motion. All in favor; motion passed. Floyd Shockley questioned what membership of resources committee would be; Oswald suggests probably same membership as when it was an ESA level committee
Old Business
Jackie Miller presented an ESA plaque to Chair Brian Wiegmann, thanking him for his service.
Transfer of gavel to Carol von Dohlen
von Dohlen comments:
thanks to Brian Wiegmann
all feel free to comment on symposia quickly
look forward to moderating and helping with next year's meeting
Committee appointments:
Program Committee: Carol von Dohlen (2005)
Governing Board: John Heraty (2005-08)
Strategic Planning: Caroline Chaboo (2005-7)
Founders’ Memorial Award: Sydney Cameron 2004-2006
International Affairs Committee: Felix Sperling
Systematics Resources (1/2): David Furth (2004-6)
Systematics Resources (2/2) Jason Cryan (2005-7)
Systematics Resources (Student rep.) Floyd Shockley (2005-7)
Ethics: Andy Brower 2004-06
Nominations: John Heraty (GB) and Section Board (2003-07)
Education and Youth: Alex Wild (2004) Dan Young (2005)
Fellows Awards: Manya Stoetzel (2002-05)
Founders Memorial Award: Sydney Cameron (2005-07)
Publications Council: Barry O’Connor (2002-05)
Annals: John Oswald (2003-?) and Tom Henry (2002-05)
Thomas Say Publications: nominations: Debra Murray (2004),
Margaret Thayer; Jim Woolley (editor, 2004-09)
Environmental Entomology: Nathan Schiff 2003-08
Book and Media Reviews: Jason Cryan (2002-05)
Journal of Medical Entomology: Quentin Fang (2004-07)
American Entomologist: John Heraty (2002-06)
SECRETARY - propose Marc Branham and Anthony Cognato
NOTE: Joe McHugh: just temporary fill-in for Margaret Thayer on Thomas Say committee
Floyd Shockley: SE branch meeting (Wilmington NC, first week of march), Brian Wiegmann and Shockley organized systematics symposium: New ideas, technologies in systematics, and applications beyond; overview of major systematic labs in southeast.
Steve Gaimari: Systematics resources subcommittee with Branch representative? John Oswald: This was not in motion, but could be; any member, whatever Branch is welcome to participate.
Jackie Miller motioned to adjourn. John Heraty seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 4:41 p.m.